Dorian continues to cause rip currents in SWFL, risk for swimmers

It was breezy all day at Englewood Beach Wednesday, with some people having to hold onto their hats and chase their umbrellas. Many of them enjoyed the beach from the sand, because going too deep into the water when rip current is present, could potentially be fatal.

“The wind just picked up,” said Jimmy Howell of Englewood. “Not ideal for getting out in the water.”

Beachgoers like Howell are enjoying the rough waves in the Gulf of Mexico from afar.

Charlotte, Lee and Collier County beaches are at a high risk of life-threatening rip currents.

The National Weather Service blames Hurricane Dorian.

NWS Meteorologist Rick Davis said, “Because the wind field is so large from Hurricane Dorian out in the Atlantic, that wind field extends into the Gulf of Mexico. That is creating winds and waves and rip currents.”

Swimmers can get caught in the powerful channels of water which happen often at low spots or breaks in a sandbar.

If you’re caught in a rip current, do not swim against it. Float with the current and swim parallel to shore until you can escape it.

We saw some people braving the water despite the risk.

“We were concerned about them. I still see their head bobbing up and down, so apparently he’s OK.” said, Elizabeth Triggs of North Fort Myers.

Many say they don’t need to swim in the choppy waters to have a good time.

Howell said, “This company, a little music, a cold beverage, we are good.”

The rough waters are expected to continue through the night and the rip current advisory remains in effect until at least Thursday morning for coastal Collier County. And Thursday evening in Charlotte and Lee counties.