South Florida beachgoers are being warned of life-threatening rip currents that are expected along the coastline early next week, as part of the impacts from Hurricane Erin.
There’s currently a moderate risk level for rip currents set for Monday and Tuesday, and beaches likely affected would include those in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Jupiter.
The rip currents are a result of low tide and strong winds that were forecast because of Hurricane Erin, which is expected to impact Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“If you’re going to the beach, heed the advice of local lifeguards,” said Chuck Caracozza, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “And if there are rip currents, try to avoid going in the water.”
The National Weather Service on Friday reminded swimmers of ways to escape them.
Rip currents are narrow water channels that are more likely to form during times of low tide, bigger waves and strong winds. Such currents move away from the shore and can pull people farther into the water, making it difficult to swim past them.
Some safety tips:
— If you’re pulled into a rip current, you should stay calm and avoid attempting to swim back to shore against the rip current. Doing so will likely be unsuccessful and tiring because the water moves extremely quickly.
— To get out of the current, it’s best to swim parallel to the shore, then at an angle back to shore.
“What if I'm caught in a rip current?”
Stay calm and relax. Float to conserve energy. Rip currents don't pull you under. Don't swim against the current. You may be able to escape by swimming out of the current in a direction following the shoreline, or toward breaking waves, then… pic.twitter.com/CxMp5P2sq7— National Weather Service (@NWS) August 14, 2025
Caracozza said the level of risk for rip currents could change, depending on what happens with the hurricane.
Hurricane Erin formed northeast of the Caribbean Sea on Friday, becoming the first hurricane of the 2025 season. Caracozza said rip currents commonly form because of storms, even when they aren’t expected to make landfall in the South Florida region.
“Especially with larger hurricanes out there in the Atlantic,” he said, “they have the ability to create high waves, even if we’re hundreds and hundreds of miles away from the center.”
It’s difficult to predict how long the rip currents will last, but some during previous seasons have lasted for days before dissipating.
