Rip Current Statement issued July 20 at 12:52AM EDT until July 21 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
WHAT: Dangerous rip currents.
WHERE: Pinellas, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee,
Coastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte and Coastal Lee Counties.
WHEN: through 8 PM Tuesday.
IMPACTS: Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
from shore into deeper water.
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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 groins, jetties
and piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and
signs.
If you become caught in a rip current, yell for help. Remain
calm, do not exhaust yourself and stay afloat while waiting for
help. If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to
shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to
swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly.