VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – The sun is shining bright, and that means the beaches are busy here on the coast.
It’s spring break, and many people are heading to the beach to enjoy the warm weather. However, lifeguards are waving red flags to warn everyone about strong rip currents.
In Volusia County, lifeguards have only had to rescue about seven or eight people from the water so far this week because the water has been colder, but they expect that number to go up in the coming days as the rip currents ramp up.
“The weather is amazing, and I’m just ready to get in the water,” said Daniel, a spring breaker from Orlando.
Spring breakers who have been waiting to swim without freezing finally have their chance, but they need to be careful, according to the water rescuers.
“As the tide goes out, that’s when the rip currents normally pull stronger,” Capt. AJ Miller with Volusia Beach Safety said. “Especially with the afternoon high tides, the rip currents are stronger.”
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Volusia County is bringing in extra lifeguards this week to handle the crowds and the rip currents.
“We bring on anyone we can,” Miller said. “We’ve even had to mandate a couple of shifts to make sure we have proper coverage for the beach. Always swim in front of a staffed lifeguard tower. Please download the Volusia County Beaches app to see which towers are open so you can plan your day.”
The surf has ramped up too.
The waves are expected to calm down within the next day, but the strong rip currents are expected to stick around through the weekend.