Beach Safety Division
911 C.R. 393 N.Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
850-267-1298
CURRENT BEACH STATUS!
Our current surf conditions along theBeaches Of South Walton last changed on
5/17/2012 @ 9:44 am are posted as:
YELLOW
MEDIUM HAZARD - Moderate Surf and/or Currents.
Daily SWFD Surf Advisory:
***The beach flags for South Walton's beaches will be yellow today. Please take a minute to read the entire script below today and share this information with your friends and family, thank you. Keep those paddleboards and kayaks close to shore as the winds and currents will push you away from shore and out past the second sand bar very quickly. It can be difficult to return to shore and very easy to capsize if you get side on to the wind. SURF ZONE FORECAST: WAVE HEIGHTS: Around 1 foot, with off shore winds early switching to onshore at 5-10 knots this afternoon. RIP CURRENT DEVELOPMENT PROBABILITY AND RIP CURRENT STRENGTH: moderate...a moderate risk of rip currents means that wind, wave and tidal conditions do support the development of rip currents. Even a moderate rip currents can be dangerous for weaker swimmers. Lake washouts and soft edges of sand bars can also add to rip current development. Rip currents have the potential to form very quickly at any location across South Walton's beaches. Deep channels between the sand bars are where the water brought in from the wave action funnels back out. If you are unsure if rip currents are present, please check with a lifeguard, or stay on the shore. IF YOU DON'T KNOW, DON'T GO.... Daily surf conditions and up to date beach safety flags can be seen at http://www.swfd.org/beach.php . For current Santa Rosa Beach weather conditions as well as our live Ed Walline and Rosemary Beach cam please visit http://www.swfd.org/weather.php, and lastly don't forget to text "77007" to receive up to date beach flag notifications on your mobile device If any suspected oil substance is found on the coastline do not touch or remove it but make contact with a beach patrol officer. Or, call the USCG National Response Center at (800)424-8802 and report the findings for them so it may be properly disposed of.
***
Please note that the surf conditions are generally checked at 9:30 AM & 1:30 PM daily as call load permits.
What is the Beach Flag System?
The beach flags provide general warnings about overall surf conditions and do not specifically advise the public of the presence of rip currents. However, increasing awareness of natural conditions which pose a significant risk at the beach, such as rip currents, is a critical element to improve public safety. Florida's beach warning flag program uses flags in four colors accompanied by interpretive signs along the beach to explain the meaning of each color.GREEN: LOW HAZARD - Calm Condition, Exercise Caution
YELLOW: MEDIUM HAZARD - Moderate Surf and/or Moderate Currents
RED: HIGH HAZARD - High Surf and/or Strong Currents
DOUBLE RED: WATER CLOSED TO PUBLIC
PURPLE: Marine Pests Present
In 2005, the State of Florida adopted and enacted into law the Beach Flag Warning System. This is the flag system you see across the Beaches of South Walton.
It is extremely important to monitor the beach flag warning system. Dangerous rip currents may exist in the water, but provide no visible indication from shore; i.e. large waves. This is especially true on our 26 miles of beach.
Flag colors are determined by the most dangerous surf or rip conditions within the county's beaches and the appropriate color flag or flags are flown at each beach access. Therefore, the conditions at the beach where you are visiting may appear less dangerous than the beach flags that are flying.
The South Walton Beach Safety Division is constantly monitoring the water conditions and weather forecast to provide the most accurate and timely water and surf information possible. Please remember to use caution at all times.
Trained, Certified Lifeguard Tower Locations
starting March 10th and ending the September 30, 2012
Inlet Beach Tower
Access #2
438 South Orange Street
SWFD Zone 1 / Inlet Beach
Santa Clara Tower
Access #17
3486 E. Co Hwy 30A
SWFD Zone 2 / Seagrove Beach
Van Ness Tower
Access #30
1931 E. Co Hwy 30A
SWFD Zone 2 / Seaside
Blue Mountain Tower
Access #36
2365 S. Co Hwy 83
SWFD Zone 3 / Blue Mountain Beach
Gulf View Heights Tower
Access # 37
186 Gulfview Heights Street
SWFD Zone 3 / Santa Rosa Beach
Ed Walline Tower
Access #39
4447 W. Co Hwy 30A
SWFD Zone 3 / Santa Rosa Beach
Dune Allen Tower
Access #43
5753 W. Co Hwy 30A
SWFD Zone 3 / Santa Rosa Beach
Miramar Beach Tower
Access #49
2375 Scenic Gulf Drive
SWFD Zone 5 / Miramar Beach
for a printed location of towers, click HERE
for a printable beach safety flyer click HERE
"Seemore" The Safety Crab - click HERE