High Surf — Brevard, Florida

2015-01-01 to 2015-01-04 · Brevard, Florida

Event narrative

A stretch of above normal temperatures led to favorable conditions for bathers and surfers at local beaches. Several rip current rescues occurred during this holiday vacation period. On Sunday, January 4 at 1600 EST, a 64 year old famous surf photographer from Rhode Island was upended by rough waves while surfing and knocked unconscious at Paradise Beach in Melbourne Beach. He never regained consciousness and died about a week later in the hospital.

Wider weather episode

Rough surf and stronger than normal rip currents occurred during the first few days of January. A surfer drowned in the rough surf in Melbourne Beach.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 550101. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.