Rip Current — Coastal Broward County, Florida

2009-04-25 · Coastal Broward County, Florida

Event narrative

A 73-year-old Washington D.C. man visiting his condo in Pompano Beach drowned while attempting to rescue two boys who were caught in a rip current off 1000 South Ocean Boulevard in Pompano Beach. The man swam out to save the 2 boys, but was overwhelmed by the surf and rip currents and suffered a heart attack. A second man who attempted to rescue the victim was taken to the hospital for observation after having trouble breathing.

Wider weather episode

Strong high pressure over the western Atlantic produced a strong easterly wind flow the weekend of April 25 and 26. This led to the development of strong and dangerous rip currents along the southeast Florida Atlantic beaches.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 166357. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.