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NWS Extends Rip Current Statement for Gulf County Beaches

The National Weather Service has pushed back the end time for dangerous rip currents along Gulf County Beaches.

4 reports on this incident · first at Aug 19, 2026, 5:10 a.m. ET

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 19, 2026, 5:56 a.m. ET
On August 19, 2026, the extended a for Gulf County Beaches in the Coastal Gulf area, pushing back the end time so the hazard now runs longer than first issued. Official records state the hazard window begins at 12:00 PM EDT (11:00 AM CDT) on August 19 and now expires at 2:00 AM EDT on August 20, 2026. According to official records from the weather service, dangerous rip currents are expected and can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. The National Weather Service advises people to swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, swimmers should relax and float rather than swimming against the current. Those caught should swim in a direction following the shoreline if able, or face the shore and call or wave for help if unable to escape.

Earlier reports

  1. Aug 19, 2026, 5:55 a.m. ET

    Rip Current Statement in Force for Gulf County Beaches From Noon Wednesday

    An official record from the National Weather Service Tallahassee FL shows that a Rip Current Statement was issued at 4:37 a.m. EDT on August 19, 2026, for Gulf County Beaches, covering 1 zone in the Coastal Gulf area. The record states that dangerous rip currents are expected from noon EDT (11 AM CDT) on August 19, 2026, through 2:00 a.m. EDT on August 20, 2026 — described in the statement as "from noon EDT /11 AM CDT/ today through late tonight."

    According to the record, rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

    The record lists precautions for those in the area: swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float, and do not swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

  2. Aug 19, 2026, 5:26 a.m. ET

    NWS Warns Rip Currents Can Sweep Away Even Strong Swimmers in Gulf County

    Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water, according to official records from the National Weather Service Tallahassee FL issued on August 19, 2026. The agency issued the statement detailing potential impacts for Coastal Gulf areas, specifically Gulf County Beaches.

    The Rip Current Statement was issued at 4:37 AM EDT on August 19, 2026. Dangerous rip currents are expected from noon EDT (11:00 AM CDT) today through late tonight, with the warning period set from 12:00 PM EDT on August 19 until 2:00 AM EDT on August 20, 2026.

    Official precautions from the weather service advise people to swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, swimmers should relax and float rather than swim against the current. If able, individuals should swim parallel to the shoreline, or face the shore and wave or call for help if unable to escape.

  3. Aug 19, 2026, 5:10 a.m. ETFirst report

    NWS Issues Rip Current Statement for Gulf County Beaches

    The National Weather Service Tallahassee FL has issued a Rip Current Statement for Gulf County Beaches in a developing situation on August 19, 2026. Dangerous rip currents are expected across 1 zone in the Coastal Gulf area.

    According to official statement records issued at 4:37 AM EDT on August 19, 2026, the hazard period starts at 12:00 PM EDT (11:00 AM CDT) on August 19, 2026, and expires at 2:00 AM EDT on August 20, 2026. Official records state that rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

    The issuing office advises individuals to swim near a lifeguard. Anyone caught in a rip current should relax, float, and avoid swimming against the current. Swimmers should move in a direction following the shoreline if able, or face the shore and call or wave for help if unable to escape.

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Revision history

  1. Version 119 Aug 2026, 09:56current

    First published.

  2. Version 119 Aug 2026, 09:26current

    First published.

  3. Version 119 Aug 2026, 09:10current

    First published.

  4. Version 119 Aug 2026, 09:55current

    First published.

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