High Surf — Volusia, Florida

2012-06-17 · Volusia, Florida

Event narrative

A 14 year old male was pulled out to sea by a rip current at New Smyrna Beach. He suffered an asthma attack and died while in the water. The rough surf and rip currents pulled him under water. His body was not recovered until the following morning.

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 380890. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.