Rip Current — Volusia, Florida

2018-09-09 · Volusia, Florida

Event narrative

Four people were pulled seaward within a strong rip current at New Smyrna Beach. Life Guards rescued them, but one person was floating unconscious and unresponsive when contact was made. Fire Rescue personnel performed life-saving efforts on the 64-year old man from the nearby town of Edgewater before he was taken to a hospital, where he died. The incident occurred in unguarded water about 300 yards south of an open life guard tower.

Wider weather episode

Strong rip currents and rough surf associated with distant Hurricane Florence affected the east-central Florida beaches for several days. Four people were pulled seaward by a strong rip current and one of them drowned.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 773823. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.