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Be Safe-Adhere to The Beach Flag System

Beach Lover
2,419 views
I don't know all the details of what is happening here, but I am posting this to help keep everyone safe. My thoughts are with the victims and everyone affected by this tragedy.

Per the WCSO-"People need to adhere by the flag system"

The Walton County Sheriff's Office was continuing a search and rescue operation in the waters behind the Whale's Tale in Miramar Beach on Wednesday morning after a swimmer died and another disappeared on Tuesday.

According to WCSO spokesperson Corey Dobridnia the department has jet skis in the water and South Walton Fire District personnel are also on scene.


WCSO units were called Tuesday evening to the area to help four distressed swimmers in the water at 7:40 p.m.Two made it to safety with non-life-threatening injuries, one was pulled from the water and later died, and one is still unaccounted for, according to a release from the Walton County Sheriff Office.Bay County Sheriff's Office launched their helicopter to help aid in the search and the Coast Guard deployed flares.The Walton County Sheriff's Office and South Walton Fire Department delayed their search at 9:40 p.m. due to rough surf, the release said.




Search continues for missing swimmer at Miramar Beach; one confirmed dead (PHOTOS)

Edited

Replies

10
Beach Lover
#2
What is wrong with the surf in that area of Miramar Beach? People are always drowning there. Prayers for the victims and families.
Teresa avatar
SoWal Guide
#3
Drowning yesterday at Shell Island in Panama City Beach as well. So sorry to hear about these incidents. Please be mindful of flag system. RED FLAG means No Swimming.
Conn006 avatar
Beach Lover
#4
Has red flags been flying recently?
Teresa avatar
SoWal Guide
#5
Has red flags been flying recently?
Yes. Due to storm.
Beach Lover
#6
People also need to not be total morons.

They rescued 4 people from that area this morning, the idiots were swimming where they were looking for a corpse!
Bob Wells avatar
Beach Fanatic
#7
There are areas where rip current occur and that area seems to have more than its fair share. I have seen where people walk over and around first responders doing CPR to go get into the water.
Beach Fanatic
#8
What is wrong with the surf in that area of Miramar Beach? People are always drowning there. Prayers for the victims and families.
Has more to do with population than geography.
Teresa avatar
SoWal Guide
#9
UPDATE by South Walton Fire District on Facebook

JUN 8 (2pm) posted on fb:
A section of the water behind the Whale's Tail has been closed due to severe rip currents at this location. It is standard operating procedure for SWFD Beach Safety Lifeguards to display localized "No Swimming" Flags when conditions like this exist.
We are urging all beach goers to obey the Red Flag conditions and stay out of the water.
Remember that "Knee Deep is TOO DEEP!


JUN9
MISSING SWIMMER UPDATE
The body of the missing swimmer has been recovered. SWFD Beach Safety Lifeguards along with WCSO and Florida Wildlife Commission all played a vital role in the search and recovery efforts.
We continue to ask all our beach goers to obey the beach flags, know your limitations and swim near lifeguards. Stay safe.


The SWFD Facebook page provides excellent information each day about the surf conditions and beach flag. No nonsense page with good tips about safety, jelly fish stings, heat stroke and lots more througout the year! These are professionals giving great info but you'll never see these life savers brag for a minute. LOTS of respect to them. Give it a follow.
ShallowsNole avatar
Beach Fanatic
#10
What is wrong with the surf in that area of Miramar Beach? People are always drowning there. Prayers for the victims and families.
The beach behind Whale's Tail is also the most popular for teenagers and young adults - two groups who are not as likely to pay attention to the warning systems. Though, the gentleman whose body was recovered was in his 30's.
Will B avatar
Moderator
#11
Maybe I'm crazy, but wasn't there something passed or on the books that said if you had to be rescued on a double red flag day because you went swimming, anyway, then, you would have to repay the cost of the rescue?

If there isn't...there should be.

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