Rip Current — Coastal Broward County, Florida

2008-08-31 · Coastal Broward County, Florida

Direct deaths

Event narrative

The outer edges of Hurricane Gustav produced easterly winds of 20 knots with higher gusts along the Atlantic coasts of Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties, while Tropical Storm Hanna east of the area pushed swells toward the coast as well. This in turn created strong rip currents that drowned a North Dakota husband and wife couple at an unguarded beach in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

Wider weather episode

Strong winds caused by the outer circulation of Hurricane Gustav produced rip currents along the Atlantic coast of South Florida. These rip currents produced multiple fatalities, one injury, and caused around 15 rescues.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 131410. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.