One person has drowned and four others have been hospitalized after being pulled from rough Gulf of Mexico waters at Panama City Beach today.
In addition, at least nine others were rescued but were not hospitalized.
Double red flags have been flying since early Tuesday because of rip currents created by the swells and surf associated with Hurricane Dolly, hundreds of miles southwest of here.
Today?s drowning victim has been identified as Jeffery Everitt from Georgia. His age and hometown were not immediately available. He was swimming in the Gulf behind the Majestic, which is in the Long Beach area, when he was apparently overcome by the rip currents and rough surf.
Double Red Flags continue to fly at Panama City Beach. This means the Gulf waters are closed to all. Despite the flags people still ignore them and create a busy day for local Paramedics, Police and Fire personnel.
http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/25818979.html
Replies
38
Beach Fanatic
I say a tatoo on the wrist (temp...maybe last a week) for everyone checking in, of the flag system...that way there are no excuses....and reduces liability to the county.........I think that would get their attention....don't you? Any better solutions?
Beach Fanatic
I just never could get over the attitudes of summer guests towards the flag system... I've worked in several of our local rental departments over the years, and would always make it a point to mention the flag system to arriving guests. I'd give them a polite but serious warning about the dangers of going in the water during red flags, and an astounding number of people would respond the exact same way:
"I just paid $_____.__ for this vacation, and I don't care what color the damn flags are; I'm gettin' in the water!!!"
So, while I would like to give them the benefit of a doubt, I just know all too well that some people really are just fool-hardy SOBs...
"I just paid $_____.__ for this vacation, and I don't care what color the damn flags are; I'm gettin' in the water!!!"
So, while I would like to give them the benefit of a doubt, I just know all too well that some people really are just fool-hardy SOBs...
Beach Fanatic
I say a tatoo on the wrist (temp...maybe last a week) for everyone checking in, of the flag system...that way there are no excuses....and reduces liability to the county.........I think that would get their attention....don't you? Any better solutions?
And.....with the tatoo, sowallers are out of danger of being accussed of riding their bikes in the middle of the road.....this way, we can identify, without a doubt, who the brainless ones are.
Beach Fanatic
People take risks every day. Why, because there is a part of us that thinks the harm will affect someone else.
People who live at the beach, are very aware of the dangers of the waters and they should be. People who do not live there, regardless of warnings still take the risk, many simply do not understand the danger.
Just as people who smoke take a risk with their health regardless of the warnings, or those overweight, whose doctors have told them to lose weight.
Many live in older homes that if a licensed electricians did an inspection would say it is an accident ready to happen.
People drink and drive and many drive and speed all very dangerous behaviors.
I don't think tourists at the beach are the only ones disregarding the warning signs.
The loss of life is a tragedy that no one should make light of, every life, even those that refuse to accept help, is precious.
People who live at the beach, are very aware of the dangers of the waters and they should be. People who do not live there, regardless of warnings still take the risk, many simply do not understand the danger.
Just as people who smoke take a risk with their health regardless of the warnings, or those overweight, whose doctors have told them to lose weight.
Many live in older homes that if a licensed electricians did an inspection would say it is an accident ready to happen.
People drink and drive and many drive and speed all very dangerous behaviors.
I don't think tourists at the beach are the only ones disregarding the warning signs.
The loss of life is a tragedy that no one should make light of, every life, even those that refuse to accept help, is precious.
SoWal InsiderAuthor
I say a tatoo on the wrist (temp...maybe last a week) for everyone checking in, of the flag system...that way there are no excuses....and reduces liability to the county.........I think that would get their attention....don't you? Any better solutions?Shock collars that go off when they get within 5 feet of the water on red flag days.
I edited this to say, I know that sometimes our humor can sound harsh, but it really is one of those situations where no matter what, people will ignore the warnings and go into the water. I feel sorry for our responders who work crazy days like this. You know they must get frustrated over people not being aware of the seriousness of the warnings.
Edited
SWGB
I just never could get over the attitudes of summer guests towards the flag system... I've worked in several of our local rental departments over the years, and would always make it a point to mention the flag system to arriving guests. I'd give them a polite but serious warning about the dangers of going in the water during red flags, and an astounding number of people would respond the exact same way:
"I just paid $_____.__ for this vacation, and I don't care what color the damn flags are; I'm gettin' in the water!!!"
So, while I would like to give them the benefit of a doubt, I just know all too well that some people really are just fool-hardy SOBs...
Call the TDC and get some of the coloring books that address the red flags. Kids can be very persuasive (sp?) and will love the coloring books. They also have pamphlets addressing the flag system and rip currents. I used to go over them with whomever was checking in and remind them that they can be arrested for entering the surf on red flag days. Most people took it and thanked me and very few ever got disgruntled. Just don't mention current conditions and explain the system. Seemed to work a lot better. ;-)
Beach Fanatic
there are lots of people that think they are simply invincible. more power to 'em.
SoWal Insider
I think the only solution is a triple red flag.
I think they should just add a skull and crossbones to the double red flags and then roll out a couple of body bags in front of the life guard station (large adult and small children size).
.
Edited
SWGB
Short of fencing off the Gulf on red flag days you will always here the tourist anthem:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpcUxwpOQ_A"]YouTube - Ode To Joy[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpcUxwpOQ_A"]YouTube - Ode To Joy[/ame]
Beach Fanatic
To me and many of my friends this is not a loss, but a thining of the herd.
A thinning of the herd? Regardless of his bad decision, that fella had a family, pal.
Edited
SWGB
Just watched the news and despite the beach patrol going down the beach announcing over the trucks PA system that the water is closed and to get out of the water. The camera panned behind the truck and people went right back in the water.
Family or no the warnings are there. While I will feel sorry for someone's family who might have to go through this I just can't excuse someone who does it despite warnings.
Family or no the warnings are there. While I will feel sorry for someone's family who might have to go through this I just can't excuse someone who does it despite warnings.
Beach Fanatic
People take risks every day. Why, because there is a part of us that thinks the harm will affect someone else.
People who live at the beach, are very aware of the dangers of the waters and they should be. People who do not live there, regardless of warnings still take the risk, many simply do not understand the danger.
Just as people who smoke take a risk with their health regardless of the warnings, or those overweight, whose doctors have told them to lose weight.
Many live in older homes that if a licensed electricians did an inspection would say it is an accident ready to happen.
People drink and drive and many drive and speed all very dangerous behaviors.
I don't think tourists at the beach are the only ones disregarding the warning signs.
The loss of life is a tragedy that no one should make light of, every life, even those that refuse to accept help, is precious.
The only difference with your above mentioned hazard list, is that bystanders will risk their life, usually with their families watching on the shore, trying to save someones elses life who did not heed the obvious warnings.
If I am a smoker, am obese, or have an older home that is not within a current code, I am not asking some bystander to come to my rescue because I chose to ignore the warning signs/flags.
It is painful to watch the ignorance of some people who are oblivious to their surroundings.....at the risk of their children, not to mention the people on the shore who are not oblivious and are concerned and willing to risk their lives for them.
IMO there is an important message here. Not tourist bashing.....but about potential loss of life.....whether a visitor or a well meaning local.
Edited
SoWal InsiderAuthor
During our ride along with Officer Wagner, her seasoned eyes spotted two struggling swimmers on boogie boarders.
She geared up and swam out.
After fighting the crashing waves, she gathered the swimmers together and began the struggle against the rip current.
"You can see they're not making any progress, so that's why we pulled up and was watching them for a little bit. After realizing they weren't making any forward movement was when I decided to go in and get them,” Officer Wagner said.
It turns out the parents of the two struggling children were sitting directly underneath the double red flags on the beach.
Following another rescue earlier in the day, we asked the rescued swimmers why they disobeyed the warnings.
“We didn't go out that far,” one swimmer said.
http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/25911444.html
She geared up and swam out.
After fighting the crashing waves, she gathered the swimmers together and began the struggle against the rip current.
"You can see they're not making any progress, so that's why we pulled up and was watching them for a little bit. After realizing they weren't making any forward movement was when I decided to go in and get them,” Officer Wagner said.
It turns out the parents of the two struggling children were sitting directly underneath the double red flags on the beach.
Following another rescue earlier in the day, we asked the rescued swimmers why they disobeyed the warnings.
“We didn't go out that far,” one swimmer said.
http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/25911444.html
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