Life-Threatening Rip Currents Close Treasure Coast Beaches Through Sunday Night

TODAY: Stay out of the surf. A high rip current risk is in effect for beaches in Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin counties through Sunday evening. The National Weather Service is calling conditions "life-threatening" and strongly discourages entering the surf.

ALERTS: HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK — Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin County beaches through Sunday night. Entering the surf is strongly discouraged, per NWS Melbourne. Palm Beach County beaches are also under a high rip current risk through Sunday night.

ON THE WATER: Rip currents form where gaps in sandbars and structures such as piers and jetties allow water to rush rapidly back out to sea. The currents can move faster than an Olympic swimmer — up to eight feet per second, according to NOAA CO-OPS guidance — and can pull even strong swimmers away from shore and into deeper water.

Beachgoers should note that rip current channels can appear deceptively calm compared to surrounding surf, making them difficult to spot. If caught in a rip current, the National Weather Service advises swimmers to remain calm, float or swim parallel to the shoreline to escape the current's pull, and wave or call for help if unable to break free.

Check NWS Melbourne forecast zone updates and posted beach patrol flags before entering the water this weekend.

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