Rip currents are killers in Florida, so why do we ignore warnings?

• Rip currents have killed 285 people in Florida over the past 16 years.
• Rip current advisories are issued by the NWS - and beach flags also indicate dangerous conditions. Why do so many ignore the dangers?
• Here's what to do if you're caught in a rip current.

As of April 15, 14 people across the United States have died in the "surf zone," according to preliminary data gathered by the National Weather Service.

That includes at least four in Florida, with two people killed April 14 in Cocoa Beach.

NOAA data reports 860 people in the United States have died in rip currents from 2010 through April 5, 2026.

Of those, 285 happened in Florida and account — by far — for reported surf zone fatalities. On average, there are 100 rip current fatalities a year in the U.S. and about 80% of all ocean rescues are rip-current related.

How many die in rip currents and if there are so many, why are warnings ignored? Here's what you should know.

2 die in Cocoa Beach, Florida, after being caught in rip current

Two people, including a woman who ran into the waves to help her stepson, and a male bystander, died in rip currents in Cocoa Beach, Florida, on April 14, witnesses and officials reported.

➤ Woman, bystander die in Cocoa Beach rip currents. What we know

The man and woman were watching a group of children in an area without lifeguards.

Rip current advisories common from National Weather Service in Florida

The National Weather Service regularly issues rip current advisories warning of dangerous surf conditions.

On April 15, a rip current advisory was in place for most of the East Coast.

Why do people ignore rip current warnings?

Even on calm, sunny days, rip currents can still exist.

➤ Get the latest rip current risk in Florida

Some people, especially inexperienced swimmers but even strong swimmers, underestimate the power of rip currents, the National Weather Service said. Other reasons for ignoring NWS warnings gathered from several sources include:

• Most beach users can't identify a rip current.
• Rip currents look like calm, safe areas to enter the water.
• Many people believe they are strong enough swimmers to get out of a rip current.
• Beachgoers may not be aware of what the different flags mean.
  • Double red flags means the water is closed but are frequently ignored.
• A calm day does not mean there are no rip currents.
• Swimming at an unguarded beach.

Rip current deaths in Florida in 2026

At least four people have died in rip currents in Florida this year, according to the National Weather Service and news reports:

• Juno Beach, April 1: 35-year-old man from Maine
• Pompano Beach, April 5: 50-year-old man
• Cocoa Beach, April 14: 34-year-old woman from Ohio
• Cocoa Beach, April 14: 42-year-old man from Connecticut

Florida surf zone fatalities 2019-April 5, 2026

According to NOAA, there were 324 surf zone fatalities in Florida between 2010 and April 5, 2026, which is the latest date with information provided and doesn't include the two who died April 14 in Cocoa Beach. The breakdown is:

• Rip currents: 285
• High surf: 16
• Unknown: 11
• Other: 6
• Other current: 6

NOAA issued a disclaimer that 2025 and 2026 data are preliminary and locations and timings of drowning were approximate.

What is a rip current?

Rip currents are powerful currents of water moving away from shore, according to the National Weather Service.

"Think of a rip current like this — it is a natural treadmill traveling away from the beach. Rip currents can travel as fast as 8 feet per second — that’s faster than an Olympic swimmer!" the National Weather Service said.

Rip currents typically form at breaks in sandbars, and also near structures such as jetties and piers, according to the U.S. Lifesaving Association.

Rip currents can be as narrow as 10 or 20 feet wide or even 10 times wider.

There are rip currents at all surf beaches, including the Great Lakes.

Why are rip currents so dangerous?

Rip currents pull people away from shore and can sweep even the strongest swimmer quickly away from shore.

"Drowning deaths occur when people pulled offshore are unable to keep themselves a float and swim to shore," according to the National Weather Service.

"This may be due to any combination of fear, panic, exhaustion, or lack of swimming skills.

"Rip currents are the greatest surf zone hazard to all beachgoers. They can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea. Rip currents are particularly dangerous for weak and non-swimmers."

How can I spot a rip current?

"Rip currents most typically form at low spots or breaks in sandbars, and also near structures such as groins, jetties and piers. Rip currents can occur at any beach with breaking waves, including the Great Lake

Clues a rip current is present include:

• A narrow gap of darker, seemingly calmer water between areas of breaking waves and whitewater.
  • The flat water located between breaking waves is actually a rip current flowing away from the beach out to sea.
• A channel of churning, choppy water.
• A difference in water color.
  • "The water is often darker in a rip current. White foam is present where waves are breaking and there are no rip currents.
• Look for a line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving away from the beach.

What should I do if I'm caught in a rip current?

If caught in a rip current, here's what you should do:

• First, don't panic.
• Relax; a rip current won't pull you under.
• Don't swim against the current. Even powerful swimmers can't break the grip of a rip current.
• You may be able to escape by swimming out of the current parallel to shore.
• There is an end. Sometimes a rip current ends just beyond the line of breaking waves; others may continue to flow hundreds of yards offshore.
• Draw attention to yourself, especially if you feel unable to reach the shore, by yelling and waving for help.

Contributors: John McCarthy, J.D. Gallop, Hana Khalyleh, USA TODAY Network

Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://news-journalonline.com/newsletters.