There have now been six reported fatal drownings in Florida in two days with the latest being three men who died in the surf off Panama City Beach on Friday night. Those deaths come just a day after two other tragic swimming deaths in Stuart Beach, Florida. Parents of six children vacationing in Martin County from Pennsylvania were swimming when they could not escape a rip current. Much of the Southeast Florida coast and Panhandle beaches have been under high risk rip current advisories this week, as was the case Friday evening, according to the National Weather Service. The Weather Service updated its advisory stating that dangerous rip currents for Bay County are expected throughout the weekend. This being only the start of summer, rip currents will be a regular threat for months. A disturbance off the east coast is churning up waters off Florida’s Atlantic coast, while the Gulf of Mexico was stirred by Tropical Storm Alberto and another area of low pressure that could form into a storm system soon. Walton, Bay, Gulf and Franklin County beaches were under an advisory on Friday night around the time the men died. “Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,” the NWS said. “Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.” Here’s what you need to know if you or someone you know is going into the ocean when there are rip currents present. 3 Alabama men drown in Bay County According to a Facebook post from the agency, three men, whose ages and hometowns have not yet been listed, arrived in Bay County Friday evening and went swimming. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office said it received a call at 8:11 p.m. Friday about three distressed swimmers behind Watercress Condominiums, 6201 Thomas Drive. The agency, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, Bay County Emergency Services and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, began rescue efforts. The swimmers were found individually. Where was the Friday Bay County Florida drowning incident? Rescue crews responded to the Gulf waters behind Watercress Condominiums, 6201 Thomas Drive. Oklahoma man drowns at Panama City Beach A 19-year-old man from Oklahoma drowned in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday (June 20) in Panama City Beach. The young man was on vacation and no other details of his death were released. Couple drowns in Florida after getting caught in rip current off Hutchinson Island On Thursday, June 20, Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishard, 48, who were vacationing from Pennsylvania with their six kids, were swimming off Stuart Beach when they were caught in a rip current. “Despite what was described as an immediate effort to reach the family caught in the rip current south of the guarded Stuart Beach area, the man and woman died after lifesaving efforts of Martin County Fire Rescue Ocean Rescue and medical workers at Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital where they were taken in what was said to be serious condition and later declared dead,” TCPalm reported. “Two of (their) teenage children were also swept out by the current and attempted to save their parents but as water conditions worsened they were able to free themselves and swim to shore, according to Martin County Sheriff’s Office.” What is a rip current?

Protect yourself against deadly rip currents at the beach Watch this NOAA video to learn more about spotting rip currents and staying safe at the beach. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Rip currents are powerful, concentrated channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, most often found at low spots or breaks in the sandbar and near structures such as jetties and piers. Rip currents form when incoming waves create an underwater sandbar. The waves push more water between the sandbar and the shore until it collapses and the water rushes back to the sea through a narrow gap, where it starts to spread out. But they can be difficult to see when you’re in the water as the ocean over them can still be smooth. Rip currents often form during or after stormy weather but can form on bright, sunny days just as easily since the weather isn’t really what’s causing them. Rip currents can be found at any beach with waves, at any time. What happens in a rip current?

Rip currents can be extremely dangerous, here’s how to stay safe Learn more about how to stay safe from rip currents by watching this video from Deputy Chief Tammy Malphurs of Volusia County Beach Safety and Ocean Rescue. Volusia County Beach Safety and Ocean Rescue You’re swimming along, enjoying the cool ocean water off a Florida beach, when suddenly you get knocked off your feet and feel like you’re in a rushing underwater river. You try swimming to shore but the current has you in its grip, pulling you farther out to sea. Eventually, the current will dissipate, but not before it drags you along no matter how strong a swimmer you are. Fortunately, they’re not difficult to deal with if you keep your head. How many people die in rip currents? Rip currents are habitual hazards of Florida beaches. Tens of thousands are rescued from rip currents in the U.S, every year and they make up 81.9% of all surf beach rescues, according to a 2018 report from the Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences on lifeguard data. The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) has estimated that over 100 people drown every year in this country due to rip currents. How far out do rip currents go?