Rip Current — Coastal Palm Beach County, Florida

2013-04-28 · Coastal Palm Beach County, Florida

Event narrative

Several swimmers had to be rescued during the afternoon and early evening at the beaches along the coast of northern Palm Beach County, some nearly drowning.

The first report was just after 2 pm EDT at Ocean Cay Park in Jupiter where two people nearly drowned. They were pulled from the water and both were taken to Jupiter Medical Center where one was reported in critical condition. Around 445 PM, six other swimmers were also rescued from the dangerous rips in the same area with one was taken to Jupiter Medical Center.

Around 6 pm EDT, two male swimmers struggled in the waves at Lake Worth Pier but managed to reach shore and declined further treatment.

The last reported rescues were shortly after 7 pm EDT when eight other swimmers were caught in rip currents in two separate incidents off the Lake Worth Pier. Six of the swimmers nearly drowned and were taken to Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach and JFK Medical Center in Atlantis.

Wider weather episode

A ridge of high pressure over the eastern U.S. caused an east wind along the Florida east coast of 15 to 20 mph. This led to the formation of dangerous rip currents at the beaches along the northern coast of Palm Beach County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 447148. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.