What Does Purple Flag Mean

[Wuchie]

My husband and I are will be visiting Seagrove July 9-16, but we have been a bit concerned about the purple beach flags for quite some time. We come down from St. Louis every July, but we don't remember purple flags flying for such a long time. Is this because of jellyfish? If so, what is the best way to treat a sting?
Thanks for your help!

 

[sunny850]

I am not sure about the reason for the purple flags but I can tell you there are plenty of people in the water, and I haven't seen anyone complaining when they come out. But if you DO get stung by a jellyfish, meat tenderizer mixed with a little water always worked for me and my kids. There is also something you can buy at Walmart for jellyfish stings, but I haven't tried it so I can't say if it works. I would not let the purple flags worry me one bit. Come enjoy your vacation!

 

[John G]

There are jelly fish that get blown in close with afternoon North wind.

Purple + Yellow flag is the one to watch for. It means there are Cajuns in the water...

 

[Everytime]

Purple means Great White Sharks and the rare Walton Saltwater Alligators are swimming close to the shore.


Kidding. We've been down twice this summer for 8+ days each trip and the purple flags have flown for sea lice and various other jellyfish relatives. We saw a few adult jellyfish and a lot of (apparently less painful) blue button jellyfish. The sea lice may have stung my daughter and me three weeks ago, but if that's what it was, it only lasted a few seconds. Poison ivy is much more harmful to me than jellyfish.

There was also a lot of algae and seaweed this past week but not the "state of emergency" toxic bloom variety that affected the East Coast.