Galveston Island Braces for Rip Current Danger as Gulf Swells Reach 8 Feet This Weekend

GALVESTON — The National Weather Service Galveston office issued a high rip current risk advisory Thursday afternoon for all Galveston Island beaches, warning that a distant tropical disturbance in the central Gulf of Mexico is generating 6-to-8-foot swells expected to arrive along the Texas coast by Friday evening and persist through Sunday.

Galveston Beach Patrol Chief Peter Davis said the department has doubled its lifeguard staffing at all 32 beach access points and is deploying additional rescue watercraft along the seawall.

"These are the most dangerous rip current conditions we've seen this season," Davis said. "We're asking everyone to swim only in front of a lifeguard stand and to never swim alone."

WHAT ARE RIP CURRENTS?

Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that can pull even strong swimmers away from shore at speeds up to 8 feet per second. They are the leading cause of lifeguard rescues at U.S. beaches.

If caught in a rip current, the NWS advises: - Don't fight the current — swim parallel to shore until free, then swim back to the beach - If you can't escape, float and signal for help - Never try to rescue someone in a rip current without a flotation device

BEACH CONDITIONS

The NWS forecast calls for southeast winds of 15-20 knots with gusts to 28 knots through the weekend. Water temperature is 78°F. Jellyfish activity is moderate.

Galveston Beach Patrol can be reached at 409-797-5900. In an emergency, call 911.