BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. () — It is the prime season for people heading to the beach to take a dip into the waters.
It’s also the prime season for a chance of severe storms which can create hazardous conditions and higher risks for water-related emergencies.
Safety officials constantly warn beachgoers about dangerous rip currents. Many say they’ve heard the message and feel confident they know what to do.
A visitor at North Beach in Hunting Island State Park shared with News 3, “One important tip is to avoid resisting the current. Let it carry you until it eventually loses strength.”
Another beachgoer who was setting up their spot for the day added, “You swim crossways to it, horizontal to the beach and swim that way to it.”
Others have said they might not know the specifics but they at least know how to wave someone down or call for someone’s attention.
“You scream “Mike” and wait till he comes get you,” one woman said, referring to her partner for help.
But several people on the beach said they weren’t exactly sure of what the warning flags being flown really mean.
“We don’t know off the top of our head but we know the red flag is for a rip current, you know, or a high alert,” said a beachgoer.
Another added, “I know that one means there’s jellyfish.”
It’s a concern for safety officials who said the flags are flown for a reason.
According to Mike Wagner from Hilton Head Island’s Shore Beach Services, flag colors signify the water’s condition and safety. “A purple flag warns of stinging marine life, such as jellyfish or stingrays. A yellow flag indicates rougher waters than normal, advising extra caution. A red flag shows that it’s best to stay out of the water, possibly due to threats like lightning, shark sightings, or extremely rough conditions.”
A double red flag being flown indicates that the water is completely off limits.
After three recent drownings in the county and the recent storms, many people have become more vigilant, checking the flags before starting their beach day.
One visitor to the beach looked forward to an upcoming day on the water. “When we first came in, I said, ‘Oh, we’ll have to pay attention to that when our niece and nephew is coming down in a couple of weeks from Canada, that, hey, pay attention to the flags at the booth and at the beach.”
