{"id":222472,"date":"2026-04-07T20:38:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T20:38:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/222472\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T20:38:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T20:38:08","slug":"are-rip-currents-behind-miamis-surge-in-rescues-safety-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/222472\/","title":{"rendered":"Are rip currents behind Miami\u2019s surge in rescues? Safety tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Diego<\/p>\n

Diego Castro, 11, vacationing from Spain, jumps into a wave crashing onshore on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, near South Pointe Park in Miami Beach, Florida.<\/p>\n

PHOTO BY AL DIAZ<\/p>\n

adiaz@miamiherald.com<\/p>\n

When meteorologist Jim Cantore starts posting, weather-watchers pay attention.<\/p>\n

When he visits, it\u2019s even worse. You\u2019re in the path of a hurricane.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re still about two months from hurricane season, so don\u2019t worry. And don\u2019t look for him on South Beach in the surf with the latest weather woe. But The Weather Channel\u2019s Cantore did take to social media to share a startling bit of news on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Citing Miami-Dade Fire Rescue figures, he noted that there have been 509 water rescue incidents in the Miami area in the last week.<\/p>\n

As South Floridians dodged on-and-off deluges Tuesday morning, with the worst of the rains and thunderstorms yet to come, the National Weather Service in Miami warned of a high rip current risk<\/a> and dangerous sea conditions from Tuesday night into Thursday evening. The warning applies to coastal Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: When will we see the worst weather during a rainy week? Check Miami predictions<\/a><\/p>\n

What do the experts say?<\/p>\n

More than 500 water rescues \u2014 330 of those calls involving rip currents, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. We had to ask, \u201cIs this normal?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot unusual at all,\u201d said MDFR Ocean Rescue Lt. Yuniel Usin in response to the Miami Herald\u2019s query. \u201cIt\u2019s very common, as winds are always strong during Easter and spring break weeks. Stronger winds mean stronger rip currents.\u201d<\/p>\n

Consider the confluence of last weekend\u2019s sun-kissed holiday and the recent close of another spring break period a perfect storm of sorts.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe combination of rip currents plus busy holidays results in a high volume of water-related emergencies,\u201d Usin said.<\/p>\n

\"A A surfer watches waves crashing against the jetty at the Bal Harbour Lighthouse on Nov. 5, 2024. This was a period of elevated rip current risk. David Santiago dsantiago@miamiherald.com Water rescue incidents and rip currents<\/p>\n

From March 29 to April 5, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to 509 water rescue incidents, with 330 of those calls involving rip currents, Usin confirmed.<\/p>\n

Broward County waters weren\u2019t still, either. On Friday, April 3, 29 people were pulled from the water in Fort Lauderdale<\/a> and another nine in Pompano Beach, Miami Herald news partner CBS News Miami reported. The rescues included a father and his first grade-age son. All survived.<\/p>\n

Here are the week\u2019s figures in the Miami area, according to MDFR.<\/p>\n

March 29: MDFR responded to 32 water rescue incidents, with 20 of those calls involving rip currents.March 30: Two water rescue incidents, with both calls involving rip currents.March 31: Six water rescue incidents.April 1: 10 water rescue incidents.April 3: 85 water rescue incidents, 60 involving rip currents.April 4: 130 water rescue incidents, 70 involving rip currents.April 5: 244 water rescue incidents, 178 involving rip currents.Rip currents safety tips<\/p>\n

Ocean Rescue\u2019s Usin suggested the following tips if you\u2019re caught in a rip current. We\u2019ll start with an obvious one. Don\u2019t put yourself at risk in the first place. On days when the National Weather Service warns of elevated or dangerous risk of rip currents, seriously consider making it a swim-free day if you can\u2019t resist heading to the beach for some sun.<\/p>\n

Here are Usin\u2019s tips:<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t panic if you get caught in a current. \u201cOne of the worst things to do if you are caught in a rip current is to panic and waste energy,\u201d the MDFR lieutenant said.Swim parallel to shore. \u201cMost rip currents can be narrow in nature,\u201d Usin said. \u201cTry to swim parallel to shore to get out of the grasp of the rip current and once you are out of the grip of the rip, return to shore.\u201dTry to call or wave for help to get someone\u2019s attention or conserve energy by floating.Don\u2019t become a victim. Many people have died trying to rescue someone in a rip current. The best way to help someone is to get the attention of a lifeguard, he suggested.Lifeguard not present? If you can\u2019t find a guard on the beach when you\u2019ve noticed someone in trouble in the water, call 911. Then try to direct the swimmer to swim parallel to shore. If possible, throw them something that floats and never enter the water without a flotation device.<\/p>\n

Think you\u2019re a champ swimmer and can ignore the warnings? The National Weather Service\u2019s oft-repeated tagline on all of its released rip current alerts and statements: \u201cRip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A A National Weather Service graphic details advice for escaping rip currents. National Weather Service <\/p>\n

This story was originally published April 7, 2026 at 3:22 PM.<\/p>\n


\n \"Profile
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

Howard Cohen<\/a><\/p>\n

Miami Herald<\/p>\n

Miami Herald consumer trends reporter Howard Cohen, a 2017 Media Excellence Awards winner, has covered pop music, theater, health and fitness, obituaries, municipal government, breaking news and general assignment. He started his career in the Features department at the Miami Herald in 1991. Cohen is an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Communication.
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