HARLINGEN — The National Weather Service in Brownsville has issued a rip current statement warning of a high threat from the deadly coastal currents to people swimming in the surf in the Gulf of Mexico.
The alert will be in effect Friday and through Saturday, meteorologists said, adding that it may be extended into Sunday.
Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away or parallel to shore. They occur most often at low spots or breaks in a sandbar or near structures such as jetties or piers.
“What really makes them more likely is when you have longer period waves, or the swell is coming in at a more or less right angle to the coastline,” NWS meteorologist Josh Schroeder said today.
“Right now it’s being exacerbated by the wind waves coming in from a south-southeasterly direction,” Schroeder said.
Waves Friday were 3 to 5 feet in the gulf on South Padre Island, and winds were blowing at 15 to 25 mph
A small-craft advisory will be in effect until 7 p.m. Friday.
If you find yourself caught in a rip current, yell for help but remain calm. Don’t exhaust yourself fighting the current and just stay afloat while waiting for help.
If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to the beach with the current until it fades and you can reach shore.
In this file photo beach goers enjoyed the surf and sand at Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island. Cameron County Judge Carlos H. Cascos ordered the temporary closing of beach access No. 5 and No. 6 because of dangerous rip currents.
