More beach fatalities have been reported at Panama City Beach in Florida than another beach within the U.S. in 2023, data from the National Weather Service showed.
In response to a report from FOX 35 in Orlando, seven people have died in the realm this 12 months, all of which happened in June. Three of them occurred Saturday, officials confirmed.
Prior to now nine days, 10 people have died along the Emerald Coast due to rip currents, based on the NWS. That features Panama City Beach, Gulf Shores, Blue Mountain Beach, Fort Morgan and Miramar Beach.
The beach death toll within the U.S. is as much as 60 as of Saturday.
Three people died behind three different resorts in Panama City Beach on the identical road on the identical day, officials said.
Here’s a have a look at the incidents on Front Beach Road on Saturday, based on the Panama City Beach Police Department:
A 39-year-old woman from Georgia was successfully dropped at shore behind a Days Inn, but was unresponsive when life-saving measures were began. The girl, identified as Kimberly Ann Mckelvy, was transported to an area hospital, where she later died.
Later, a 63-year-old man identified as Morytt James Burden of Georgia was rescued behind the Boardwalk Beach Resort and was successfully dropped at shore, but he was unresponsive. After life-saving measures began, he was transported to a hospital where he later died.
Donald Wixon afterwards was rescued from behind the Emerald Isle Condos and was dropped at shore, but he was unresponsive. The person from Michigan was transported to a hospital after life-saving measures were began, and was later pronounced dead.
Double-red flags were flying on the time of all three incidents, indicating extreme water hazards. When these double-red flags are flying, you are usually not allowed within the Gulf of Mexico, police said.
“The Panama City Beach Police Department and Beach Safety implore the general public to at all times heed the double-red flag warnings and at all times pay attention to the hazards that may accompany these conditions,” police said. “Double-red flag conditions have existed on the beach for the last week.”
Within the last 10 days, the Panama City Beach Police Department responded to 70 swimmers in distress. Thirty-nine of those happened on Saturday.
In response to data from the National Weather Service, 10 people have died along the Florida-Alabama coast within the Gulf of Mexico prior to now nine days. Here’s a have a look at where and once they happened:
- June 18: Panama City Beach
- June 21: Panama City Beach
- June 22: Panama City Beach
- June 22: Gulf Shores, Alabama
- June 22: Blue Mountain Beach
- June 23: Fort Morgan, Alabama
- June 24: Miramar Beach
- June 24: Panama City Beach
- June 24: Panama City Beach
- June 24: Panama City Beach
Rip current safety suggestions
To flee a rip current, swim parallel to the shore. You’ll give you the chance to swim ashore as the present weakens. You shouldn’t attempt to swim against the rip current, officials said.
Officials shared what to look out for with regards to rip currents:
- Discoloration of water
- Unusual choppiness
- Debris and foam moving seaward
Look out for red flags
- Double red flag: Very high hazard, water closed to public
- Red flag: High hazard, high surf, strong currents
- Yellow flag: Medium hazard, moderate surf and/or strong currents
- Green flag: Low hazard, calm conditions, caution still advised
- Purple flag: Dangerous marine life
