Rip Current Statement

Locations Affected

Saint Petersburg, FL ∙ Tampa, FL ∙ Cape Coral, FL ∙ Clearwater, FL ∙ Largo, FL ∙ Sarasota, FL ∙ Bradenton, FL ∙ Plantation, FL ∙ Punta Rassa, FL ∙ Palm Harbor, FL

Full Alert Message

Coastal Hazard Message National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL 1252 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026 ...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING... * WHAT...Dangerous rip currents. * WHERE...Pinellas, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte and Coastal Lee Counties. * WHEN...through 8 PM Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... There is a high risk of rip currents. Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as groins, jetties and piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and signs. If you become caught in a rip current, yell for help. Remain calm, do not exhaust yourself and stay afloat while waiting for help. If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly.

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