Rip Current — Coastal Cameron, Texas

2009-05-06 · Coastal Cameron, Texas

Event narrative

A 17 year old boy drowned less than a mile north of Beach Access #6 late Wednesday afternoon May 6. The young man entered the water around 4 pm with two friends. The man was caught in an undertow which pulled him out to sea. The friends attempted to swim out to him but were unable to reach the victim. The victim disappeared under the water about 15 minutes after the failed rescue attempt. His body was recovered about 6 pm approximately 2 miles north of where he was swimming.

Wider weather episode

Rip currents producing a strong undertow claimed the life of a swimmer at South Padre Island. The continuation of fair weather with light to moderate winds, comfortable Gulf of Mexico water temperatures, and plenty of sunshine lured larger numbers of local beach goers to Padre Island beaches. Unfortunately one person lost their life when he was caught in an undertow that pulled him out to sea.

User note: Strong longshore current at the north beach access points of South Padre Island has taken lives in the past. One reason given by a local expert is that the depth of the surf between sandbars is often near or above head height, and this current can pull unsuspecting persons into the surf. Inability to swim, combined with panic, can result of fatality or injury. While not meeting the true definition of rip current, the unique bathymetry of the surf zone along the Lower Texas Coast, combined with the persistent moderate to strong southerly flow and resulting longshore swell forced the local geography, are determining factors for including this case in Storm Data.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 159549. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.