High Surf — Volusia, Florida

2012-06-17 · Volusia, Florida

Event narrative

A 66 year old man became unconscious and subsequently died of a heart attack while being rescued from rough surf and strong rip currents at Ormond Beach.

Wider weather episode

Breezy onshore winds occurred along the Volusia County coastline as a result of a tight pressure gradient between a ridge of high pressure over the southeastern United States and a trough of low pressure located over the local western Atlantic. These winds led to rough surf and long-period northeast swells along the Volusia County coastline. Two swimmers, an hour apart and at different beaches, were imperiled by the dangerous ocean conditions. An elderly man suffered a heart attack and died while being rescued from the surf by life guards. A young teenager died from an asthma attack while fighting the rough surf. Autopsies revealed the two males did not die from drowning, therefore the deaths were listed as indirectly related to the rough surf and strong rip currents.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 380889. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.