Rip Current — Manatee, Florida

2010-08-12 · Manatee, Florida

Event narrative

A family was swimming and rafting on the north end of Anna Maria Island near Sycamore Avenue, just off of Gulf Drive. A 71-year-old woman and her brother, age unknown, were pulled well out to sea by a rip current and died trying to fight the current. The woman's 78-year-old husband and 54-year-old son attempted to rescue the victims and were hospitalized due to extreme fatigue.

Wider weather episode

The remnants of Tropical Depression 5 were in place across the northern Gulf of Mexico with a strong south to southwest wind flow in place across the area. Choppy seas of four to six feet caused large breaking waves along area beaches and increased the risk for rip currents.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 254919. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.