Rip Current — Guam, Guam

2024-11-23 · Guam, Guam

Event narrative

Guam Fire Department's water rescue team responded to Family Beach at 1700ChST when they received a reported of a overdue fisherman. Family Beach is located near the village of Piti, and is on a narrow strip of land that extends westward from Piti and the south side of the strip forms the northern boundary of Apra Harbor, while the northern side faces the Philippine Sea. Jointed by U.S. Coast Guard and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, crews searched until sunset Saturday and then resumed the search 0700ChST Sunday. At 0753ChST fire department rescue divers eventually located the body of the 24-year-old fisherman about 50 feet below the surface.

Wider weather episode

Rip currents within the western reefs of Guam led to dangerous swimming/wading conditions, leading to the death of a fisherman.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1223379. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.