Rip Current — Coastal Okaloosa, Florida

2009-04-10 · Coastal Okaloosa, Florida

Event narrative

Joseph Jones, a 39 year old from Riverdale, Georgia, was pronounced dead at the hospital after being caught in a strong rip current at Destin Beach around 5 PM CDT. He entered the surf to help two young girls that were caught in the rip current.

Wider weather episode

Strong rip currents along the Florida Panhandle beaches cause drowning deaths along Okaloosa County beaches in the Destin area.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 200126. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.