Rip Current — Brevard, Florida

2021-09-08 · Brevard, Florida

Event narrative

A 69-year-old white male from Oregon was swimming in the surf around 1630LST off Jerry Park in Cape Canaveral (an unguarded beach) when family members lost sight of him. He was then located unresponsive in the water approximately 100 yards offshore and transported to a local hospital in critical condition where he was later pronounced deceased. Although no one saw what actually happened, his family reported feeling a strong current pulling away from shore. He was considered a strong swimmer that had visited many beaches before. Distant Hurricane Larry produced moderate, long-period swells on this day, leading to a high risk of numerous and strong rip currents. The Medical Examiner listed drowning as the cause of death.

Wider weather episode

A man was swimming within the surf at Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral when his family lost sight of him. He was found unresponsive in the water and transported to a hospital where he died. Moderate, long-period swells from distant Hurricane Larry produced a high risk of rip currents on this day.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 973218. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.