Rip Current — Cameron Island, Texas

2022-10-12 · Cameron Island, Texas

Event narrative

A 17-year old man drowned in a rip current at approximately 4 PM CDT on Wednesday, October 12th, in the surf at Cameron County Public Access #5. The teen was with a group of peers but entered the surf on his own and, according to the witnesses, disappeared into the waves. According to USCG, witnesses reported the swimmer began demonstrating signs of distress, and the currents soon overpowered him before he submerged. A 9-1-1 call from the peer group was related to USCG Corpus Christi, where air assets were deployed, along with water assets from USCG South Padre Island to assist with SAR. Cameron County Beach Patrol, Cameron County Emergency Management, and South Padre island Fire Department assisted in the SAR. The swimmer was recovered a day later (October 13), 8 miles north of the entry point, by Cameron Co. Park Rangers after fishers discovered the floating body and called 9-1-1.

Wider weather episode

Very strong rip currents at local beaches on the afternoon of October 12th contributed to a drowning on South Padre Island.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1052637. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.