Rip Current — Santa Rosa, Florida

2001-11-23 · near Navarre, Santa Rosa, Florida

Event narrative

An increasing onshore wind flow in advance of an approaching cold front resulted in the development of strong rip currents along some Florida panhandle beaches. Unusually warm temperatures prior to frontal passage persuaded more beachgoers to venture into the waters than would normally do so in late November. The combination of the warm temperatures and the developing rip currents proved deadly to one beachgoer, drowning a man visiting from Missouri.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5272412. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.