Rip Current Deaths Take Toll On First Responders

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At least eight people have died this month in rip currents in a single county in the Florida Panhandle, and two more in a neighboring county. The deaths have devastated families and, along with rescue after rescue, strained first responders and frustrated local law enforcement.

H​ere's what happened:

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-Eight of the deaths were in the Panama City Beach area on the Gulf of Mexico in Bay County, Florida, according to the county sheriff’s office. The number was previously reported to be nine, but was revised on Thursday.

-At least seven of those happened over the course of just nine days, from June 15 to 24.

-​Two other deaths happened in neighboring Walton County in the same time period.

-Bay County 911 dispatchers handled 36 calls for water rescues during a 12-hour period on Sunday alone.

(​MORE: Former NFL Quarterback Dies In 'Tragic Accident' At Florida Beach)

I​n a statement via email, Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said:

-"I’m beyond frustrated at the situation that we have with tragic and unnecessary deaths in the Gulf. I have watched deputies, firefighters and lifeguards risk their lives to save strangers. I have seen strangers die trying to save their children and loved ones, including two fathers on Father’s Day."

-"These same heroes, who have risked it all to save others, have been cursed and given the finger, while trying to warn visitors of the life-threatening dangers. We have used the tools provided by the county commission to fine violators $500 for entering the water on double red flags. We don’t have the resources or time to cite every single person that enters the water, but we do our absolute best to use it as a deterrent to keep them from entering the water."

"Government and law enforcement can only do so much in these situations. Personal responsibility is the only way to ensure that no one else dies. Please make the effort to know the beach flag status and stay completely out of the water during double red flags."

W​eather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman adds:

- What makes rip currents particularly insidious is they can be strong even when waves are only 2 to 3 feet. The surf may not be “pounding,” but that doesn’t mean the rip current threat isn’t there.

- The weather doesn’t have to be “bad” for rip currents. They’re produced by onshore winds pushing water to the coastal surf zone. That can, and often does, happen on a perfectly sunny day at the beach.

- This is why it’s important to check rip current forecasts issued by the National Weather Service, or simply ask a lifeguard once you get to the beach.

W​hat else to know:

-A rip current is a narrow, fast-moving channel of water that flows away from shore. See videos of what a rip current looks like here.

-​They usually dissipate within about 80 feet of shore, but there have been instances where people have been carried farther out into the open water by rip currents, which can move at speeds up to 5 miles per hour.

-​Because rip currents are typically not very large in size, it’s recommended that people either swim parallel to the shoreline to escape, or let the current carry them out of the flow. Yell or signal for help if possible. People who panic or fight are more likely to drown.

-​Rip currents are, on average, the third deadliest weather-related event in the U.S. and have claimed more than 50 lives so far this year.

-​It's not just an ocean concern. A 71-year-old man died in a rip current on June 15 on the Indiana shoreline of Lake Michigan.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM

WATCH: Deputies Pull Father, Son From Florida Rip Current

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Weather.com reporter Jan Childs covers breaking news and features related to weather, space, climate change, the environment and everything in between.

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