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
2/3/2012 @ 8:26 am are posted as:
YELLOW
MEDIUM HAZARD - Moderate Surf and/or Currents.
Purple
Jellyfish are present!
Daily SWFD Surf Advisory:
***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. There have been a number of jellyfish sightings across the beaches of South Walton this morning mostly in the channel between the beach and outer sandbar. SURF ZONE FORECAST: WAVE HEIGHTS: Around 1 foot, with 6-10 knot SE winds. 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. Moderate rip currents can be potentially dangerous for weaker swimmers. Lake washouts and soft edges of sand bars can also add to rip current development. Please pay attention to the beach flags. At this time of year, extra care should be exercised while visiting the beaches of South Walton. South Walton Fire District Lifeguards are not on patrol. Lifeguards will resume patrolling the beaches of South Walton on March 10, 2012. There are also jellyfish present across our beaches. Be careful not to handle them even when they are on the shoreline. 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 and type "beachflag" in the subject line.
***
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 13th and ending the September 26, 2010
Tower 1
South Orange Street Beach Access
SWFD Zone 1 / Inlet Beach
Tower 2
Bramble Grove Beach Access
SWFD Zone 2 / Seagrove Beach
Tower 3
Van Ness butler Beach Access
SWFD Zone 2 / Seaside
Tower 4
Blue Mountain Beach Access
SWFD Zone 3 / Blue Mountain Beach
Tower 5
Gulf View Heights Beach Access
SWFD Zone 3 / Santa Rosa Beach
Tower 6
Ed Walline Beach Access
SWFD Zone 3 / Santa Rosa Beach
Tower 7
Dune Allen Beach Access
SWFD Zone 3 / Santa Rosa Beach
Tower 8
Pompano Joe's Beach Access
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