Active Alerts Portland, FL

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax andfloat. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in adirection following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face theshore and call or wave for help.

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected.* WHERE...Walton, Bay, Gulf, and Franklin County Beaches.* WHEN...Through late Thursday night.* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers awayfrom shore into deeper water.* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The buoy located about 90 miles south ofApalachicola early this morning was observing southerly waves of4 feet at 7 seconds. As these waves move into the surf zonealong Emerald Coast and Forgotten Coast beaches today, they willeasily support a high risk of rip currents. Then startingMonday, a prolonged period of unseasonably strong easterlybreezes will get underway, bringing several days of dangerousrip currents to area beaches.