Rip Current — Coastal Duval, Florida

2016-07-24 · Coastal Duval, Florida

Event narrative

A 45 year old female died while trying to save her 11 year old son at the north end of Huguenot Park about a quarter mile from Ft. George Inlet. The drowning was attributed to both tidal currents and rip currents. Huguenot Park Beach has stronger ocean currents compared to other nearby beaches per Beach Patrol and Duval County EM. The park is on an island where Ft. George Inland borders to the north and the Mayport jetties border to the south. Changes also occurred to bathymetry in the area with sand bars and steeper drop offs into the ocean.

Wider weather episode

Light onshore flow and a passing upper level low south of the area brought lower than normal rain chances across the area. There was a low risk of rip currents.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 648390. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.