Red flags are likely to be flying at Volusia County beaches over the Memorial Day weekend to indicate the presence of dangerous rip current conditions — by far the most common cause of ocean rescues, according to Volusia County’s lifeguard corps.
Red flags at the beach signal “high hazard, meaning high surf and/or strong currents.” Regardless of whether a flag is flying, rip currents are always a threat.
“We really are asking people to make sure they swim in front of the staffed lifeguard towers,” said Tammy Malphurs, director of Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue.
Volusia County beaches had a high risk of rip currents on May 19, according to a coastal hazard message from the National Weather Service Melbourne.
“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,” according to the warning.
Volusia County officials always urge people to swim in front of a staffed lifeguard tower to help prevent drownings. Staffed lifeguard towers and other beach information can be found through the Volusia Beaches app.
Getting ready for the weekend: How to get your free Volusia County beach pass
Volusia County brings on new seasonal lifeguards
Memorial Day weekend draws large crowds to Volusia County’s beaches, and as usual, Beach Safety has added more seasonal lifeguards to prepare.
Malphurs estimated that the county has about 200 seasonal lifeguards with over 50 new seasonal lifeguards included. The county has about 55 full-time lifeguards, and has ramped up recruitment efforts, including adding a fall recruitment class.
Partly sunny weekend ahead in Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach
As for the weather, conditions should be mostly sunny over the holiday weekend, according to National Weather Service forecasts as of May 19.
Here are the forecast for a couple of the busiest beach areas: Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach.
Daytona Beach will have sunny skies with a high of about 85 on May 23, with a 20% chance of storms and rain after 2 p.m. On May 24, conditions will be mostly sunny with a high of about 86. The chance of rain and storms will be at 30%. On Memorial Day, the high will be about 86 and conditions will be mostly sunny, with a 20% chance of rain and storms.
The forecast for New Smyrna Beach calls for sunny skies with a high around 86 on May 23, and a 20% chance of rain and storms after 2 p.m. On May 24, conditions will be mostly sunny with a high of about 86, and a 30% chance of rain and storms. On Memorial Day, mostly sunny skies will pair with a high of about 86, and a 20% chance of storms and rain.
What’s the Memorial Day weekend forecast for Flagler Beach?
In Flagler Beach, the National Weather Service in Jacksonville says expect mostly sunny skies on May 23, with a high of 85 and a 20% chance of rain and storms after 2 p.m.
On May 24, Flagler Beach will see mostly sunny skies with a high near 85, breezy conditions and a 20% chance of showers and storms after 2 p.m.
On Memorial Day, enjoy sunny skies, breezy conditions and a high near 85. Expect a 20% chance of rain and storms after 2 p.m.
If you have children, consider a quieter, non-driving spot on the beach for safety
Malphurs offered other safety tips for beachgoers.
If you’re bringing children to the beach, seek out non-driving sections of the beach, Malphurs said. For those who choose a driving section of the beach, set up belongings and tents on the water side of the driving lane, Malphurs suggested. That will reduce the number of times kids cross the traffic lanes. Also, beachgoers should hold their child’s hand while crossing driving lanes, she added.
For those going to busy beach areas like Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach, Malphurs advises beagoers to arrive early. The Volusia Beaches app provides live updates on what ramps are open.
“We expect to be at capacity (for vehicles) probably by 10 a.m.,” she said.
Volusia County has beach rules in place to help visitors safely enjoy their visit. That includes abiding by the 10 mph speed limit, keeping alcohol off the beach and not laying out in on-beach parking or driving areas.
Go to volusia.org for a list of beach rules.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Expect big crowds, rip currents at the beach this Memorial Day weekend
Reporting by Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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