Rip Current — Coastal Bay, Florida

2013-06-11 · Coastal Bay, Florida

Wider weather episode

The Panama City News Herald reported a rip current fatality occurred at Panama City Beach around 7 pm June 8th as well as three rescues that required hospitalization around 5 pm June 9th. Two of the three rescued were located near Edgewater Beach Resort, and the third was located near Continental Condominiums. The rescued included a 17 year old male, 22 year old female, and a female in her 70s. A moderate risk of rip currents was forecast.

In addition, The Northwest Florida Daily News Newspaper reported that two more men drowned while swimming off Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., near Scenic Highway 30-A in Walton County on June 9th. The newspaper reported that the incidents happened on an unguarded section of beach behind South Spooky Lane. Witnesses said the first victim, 44-year-old Annazar Nazarov of Memphis, was 75 yards off shore and the second victim, 48-year-old William Haithcox of Spartanburg, S.C., went into the water to attempt a rescue. Lifeguards responded from the nearest tower, about a half mile away, and pulled the men ashore, but were not in time. A high risk of rip currents was forecast.

On June 10th around 10 am, the Panama City News Herald reported that deputies responded to a swimmer in distress call at about the 23011 Front Beach Road area on Panama City Beach. One deputy along with the distressed swimmer were hospitalized. A moderate risk of rip currents was forecast at the time of the rescue.

On the afternoon of June 11th, WMBB-TV reported that two distressed swimmers required hospitalization from behind the Days Inn and behind the Sunbird. In addition, the Panama City News Herald reported that a 67 year old man drowned off of Panama City Beach during the afternoon. A moderate risk of rip currents was forecast, and single red flag were flying.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 445578. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.