A number of recent drownings have propelled Panama City Beach into the top spot as the deadliest beach in America.
According to tracking by the National Weather Service, the U.S. has had 60 surf zone fatalities in 2023. Of those, six were in Bay County, Florida with 5 of those in Panama City Beach, all occurring since June 15th. All of the Panama City deaths were men with ages ranging from 39 to 68.
The deaths were attributed to drownings in rip currents, powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that can pull a swimmer away from the shore.
Alabama has reported three drowning deaths along the Gulf in 2023, two in Gulf Shores and one in Fort Morgan, all due to rip currents.
Swimmers can be fined for going in water with double flags
According to the Panama City Beach Herald, the city employs about 20 lifeguards who patrol nine miles of beaches within the PCB limit. The city also has an ordinance with a $500 fine for those who enter the Gulf of Mexico while double red flags as flying. On the second offense, that fine rises to $1,000, though the ordinance does require a warning before any citations are issued.
PCB has experienced an abnormal number of double red flags over the past couple weeks. According to the Herald, red or double red flags have flown in PCB every day since June 12.
Single red flags indicating high surf and strong currents are currently posted in PCB. A rip current warning is currently in effect for Walton, Bay and Gulf counties.
Source: AL
