rip currents

Rip currents are silent killers. These fast-moving channels of water can reach speeds of 1 to 2 feet per second, but have been measured as high as 8 feet per second.

Easter weekend brings calm weather, but also hazardous beaches and fire weather danger for Florida.

Rip currents are the most serious hazard that threatens swimmers in South Florida, where they can be just as dangerous in the winter as in the summer, Florida International University expert on beach safety, Dr. Stephen Leatherman — known as "Dr. Beach" — tells WLRN.

A rip current is a channel of water pulling you out to sea. The Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue says rip currents are one of the greatest dangers for beachgoers and they account for the most beach rescues every year.

After a deadly end to the month of June with rip current deaths, there will be a few days of calmer conditions before dangerous rip current risks arrive for the 4th of July holiday weekend.

After a 17-year-old Canadian swimmer was swept out to sea and later found dead, the National Weather Service is warning visitors and residents about the hazards.

Over the last ten years, rip currents have killed more people in the United States than tornadoes or hurricanes. This year has already been particularly bad with 76 deaths reported through August.

As spring break gets going this week, the National Weather Service has extended the risk warning for the waters off Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

As residents of the Sunshine State, our beach days don’t end when students go back to school, nor do the challenges that beachgoers can face.A cooling…