Teen dies after being swept away at Florida beach
Former Tropical Storm Rafael caused increased swells along the Florida coast over the weekend.
Rip-current risk caused by former Tropical Storm Rafael
FOX Weather Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen discussed the increased rip-current risk caused by former Tropical Storm Rafael (November 8, 2024).
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – Local police in Boynton Beach, Florida, confirm that a teen was swept away by a strong current Sunday morning and was later pronounced dead that afternoon.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office reported that it responded to a call about a missing swimmer just before 7:30 a.m. Authorities said he was swimming with his family.
That's after an increased rip-current warning for most of Florida over the weekend, in part due to the swells caused by former Tropical Storm Rafael.
There's no word on whether red flags were posted at the beach at the time of the incident.
WHAT DO DIFFERENT FLAGS AT THE BEACH MEAN?
Watch: Waves from Hurricane Rafael begin lashing Key West
A video shows waves starting to crash on the Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S. marker in Key West, Florida, on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.
The National Weather Service office in Miami, which is responsible for Boynton Beach, had issued a high rip-current statement for this past weekend.
The NWS says the rip-current risk will remain through Monday evening along Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
How to survive a rip current
Do you know what to do if you find yourself caught in a rip current while swimming? Swim instructor and owner of Swim With Gills Christina Gillin-Theiss joined FOX Weather from Jupiter Island, Florida, to explain how you can stay safe and survive if you’re struggling in the water.