Rip Current — St. Lucie, Florida

2011-12-25 · St. Lucie, Florida

Event narrative

A 26 year old male swimmer was caught in a strong rip current and pulled underneath the water, causing him to drown. St. Lucie County Sheriff's deputies found the man's body early the next morning. One other man was also caught in a rip current, but he escaped and survived.

Wider weather episode

High pressure across the eastern United States produced easterly winds and long period swells across the coastal waters of East Central Florida leading to the formation of moderate to strong rip currents. A male swimmer became caught in one of the stronger rip currents and was pulled underneath the water. A female surfer attempted to rescue the victim but could not locate him in the water. The body of the man was found early the next day.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 352735. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.