Marine Rescue just scaled back its operation for the Fall, meaning there won’t be lifeguard chairs on the beach during the big waves.
ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. — Marine Rescue in St. Johns County is gearing up for whatever Tropical Storm Imelda has in store for the coast.
The agency is warning beachgoers about rough surf and high tides for the next few days.
The windy and rainy weather on Sunday preceding the storm was sufficient to dissuade many from venturing into the water today. Marine rescue advises beachgoers to be well-prepared if they intend to visit over the coming days.
“The wind did cut it short because the sand was kind of blowing in my eyes,” said Rafael Beltran as he left St. Augustine Beach.
Beltran’s relaxing walk along the beach didn’t quite go as planned Sunday with the strong wind and big, dark clouds leading him to cut it short.
With Tropical Storm Imelda working up the coast, he figures that disappointing walk will probably be his last beach excursion for the next few days.
“For safety reasons, people should keep an eye on that,” said Beltran.
One person certainly keeping an eye on that is St. Johns County Marine Rescue Lieutenant Dan Power.
Especially given their recent staffing change.
“During our lifeguard season, we advise you to approach the lifeguard chair, inquire about the current conditions, and observe the flags upon arriving at the beach. However, we are now out of season,” said Power.
Power noted that they have recently removed the lifeguard chairs as autumn approaches, but Marine Rescue will conduct patrols along the beach as Tropical Storm Imelda approaches.
He says the end of the season also means there won’t be any flags flying for beachgoers to use to judge the conditions.
“We always say, ‘When in doubt, don’t go out,'” said Power.
Power is encouraging folks to check marine rescue’s social media pages for updates on conditions and beach accessibility through the storm.
“We’ll decide if we need to restrict beach access to vehicles first,” explained Power. “Subsequently, we may consider closing the beach entirely, a measure we’ve taken in the past, although it’s rare.”
Beltran says he’ll be staying out of the water regardless of how rough the conditions get.
“It’s usually cold so I just try to walk by and that’s about it,” said Beltran.
Power stated they anticipate the wind and waves to generate numerous rip currents, and the resulting erosion could alter the coastline’s configuration, necessitating his team to evaluate problem areas once the storm has passed.
