Officials warn of dangerous rip currents at Brevard County beaches this weekend

Cocoa Beach, Fla. — While welcoming weather might entice Central Florida beachgoers this weekend, local ocean rescue officials are concerned about dangerous rip currents.

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Brevard County Ocean Rescue said the surf will be rough and seas will be high.

In anticipation of the high surf, the county will have five beaches – Cocoa Beach Pier, Shepard Park, Minutemen Causeway, Lori Wilson Park and Paradise Beach – fully staffed this weekend with lifeguards, along with mobile teams on standby.

They also plan to fly red flags and double red flags this weekend and likely through the end of the year.

Read: Volusia County Beach Safety considering using drones for search and rescue

The conditions are thanks to a non-tropical low-pressure system out in the Atlantic, WFTV Meteorologist Kassandra Crimi said.

While its rains won’t impact Central Florida, the disorganized system will pack a punch to those wanting to dip in the ocean.

At a news conference Thursday, officials warned beach visitors about the unfavorable surf conditions caused by the offshore disturbance.

“It’s gonna be bringing in about 6- to 10-foot surf which is gonna elevate the rip current situation,” said Chief of Ocean Rescue Eisen Witcher.

He added that someone should never go to the beach alone. Be sure to swim at a guarded beach — and If you get stuck in a rip current don’t panic, Witcher said.

BCOR said lifeguards have made more than 400 ocean rescues so far this year.

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