Just this month in Panama City Beach, 7 people died due to rip currents. Bay County sheriff expresses his frustration over their deaths.
Panama City Beach (Photo: Wear TV)
7 People Died Due To Rip Currents In Panama City Beach
According to the National Weather Service, seven people died within nine days just this month at Panama City Beach. Rip currents were believed as the primary cause of their deaths, as listed on the agency’s records. This month, City Beach is seeing the largest concentration of fatalities within its surf zones. A rip current is basically a concentration of moving water, resembling a river current, which is formed in the ocean and flows away from the main shoreline and out back to the sea. Deadly incidents regarding rip currents were reported to take place between June 15 and June 24.
Authorities identified the individuals who died at the beach just this month: a 47-year-old man from Alabama, a 53-year-old man from South Carolina, a 52-year-old local man, a 68-year-old man coming from Michigan, a 63-year-old and 38-year-old from Georgia, and a 47-year-old from Tennessee. Bay County authorities urged beachgoers and the general public to adhere to the public safety warnings to avoid and ultimately prevent fatal incidents.
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Bay County Sheriff Expresses His Frustration Regarding the Beach Deaths
Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford took his frustration to Facebook, saying that he is beyond frustrated about the terrible deaths that the beach is seeing. Ford added the same people who are risked and are currently risking their lives to save people have been disrespected and cursed while trying to warn the public of the dangers that are life-threatening.
Ford declared that $500 fines were in place to punish violators of the safety warnings but, Bay County officials currently do not have the resources to cite every single violator, and that arrests can only take place after a violator’s second offense and if a violator ignores law enforcement in their first offense.
