Rip Current Statement 19, NWS Melbourne, FL

Issued

Jul 16, 2018, 4:38 AM EDT (08:38 UTC)

Expired

Jul 16, 2018, 8:00 PM EDT

In force

15 hr

Issued by

NWS Melbourne, FL

County Volusia County, FL

The Melbourne radar (KMLB), 116 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 08:37 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

179 
WHUS42 KMLB 160838
CFWMLB

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
438 AM EDT Mon Jul 16 2018

FLZ141-147-170000-
/O.NEW.KMLB.RP.S.0019.180716T0838Z-180717T0000Z/
Coastal Volusia County-Northern Brevard County-
438 AM EDT Mon Jul 16 2018

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

The National Weather Service in Melbourne has issued a High Rip
Current Risk, which is in effect through this evening. The number
of people rescued along Volusia county beaches during the past 
week has exceeded 500. Lingering swells will continue this High 
Risk today.

* TIMING...The threat for dangerous rip currents will be present
  all day, however the risk will be particularly high from about 
  230 PM through 830 PM, surrounding the time of low tide.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents will be dangerous and life threatening.
  Numerous water rescues have occurred over the past several days,
  with similar strong rip current conditions expected today. Even
  if the beaches are crowded, you are better off there rather 
  than going to a secluded spot where no lifeguards are present to
  rescue you from life threatening rip currents.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

There is a high risk of rip currents.

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away
from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the
sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as jetties and
piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards...beach patrol flags and
signs.

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$

Lascody

Rip Current Statements in Florida, 2018Every rip current statement in 2018

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.