HomeMy Public PortalAboutCOTI_PR20140702_ArthurSurfWarning.docxPRESS RELEASE: Contact: Tybee Island City Hall
For immediate release (912) 786-4573
Tropical Storm Arthur Adds Danger to the Beaches
Tybee Island, Ga. – (July 2, 2014) Although Tropical Storm Arthur is predicted not to make a direct hit on the Savannah area, the weather accompanying such a storm can bring heavy rains,
high winds, and chaotic surf conditions. In particular, higher than normal surf can create rip tides and undertows that represent a significant danger to nearby beach goers, even if
the sun is shining, and the weather appears clear. As Tybee Mayor Jason Buelterman notes, “Although we expect minimal rain and wind from Arthur, we do expect heavy surf and strong rip
currents especially on Thursday. We urge visitors to be extremely cautious, especially those who are inexperienced swimmers and those with small children.”
Tybee Island Ocean Rescue posts condition flags at every life guard stand on all of the beaches. Anything other than a green condition flag means you need to exercise special precautions
on the beach.
Of course, life guards are always observing the seas to look for dangerous conditions, but you can help protect yourself by observing conditions before you or your family enter the water.
To help reduce glare and make it easier to see changes in the water that may indicate a problem, Polarized glasses should be worn at the beach. Look for the following conditions, which
may indicate the presence of rip currents:
• a channel of churning, choppy water
• an area having a notable difference in water color or general appearance
• a line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward
• a break in the pattern of incoming waves
Speak to your family members to warn them what to do if they find themselves in a rip current and drifting quickly out to sea despite their best efforts. Do not directly resist the rip
current, but instead swim parallel to shore until no longer being pulled out. Only then begin to swim toward shore. If the life guards appear to be unaware of your situation, you may
try to attract their attention, but do not wait for a rescue. You don’t want to wear yourself out nor
allow yourself to continue to drift out farther from shore, so calmly begin swimming parallel to the shore to preserve your energy and get yourself out of the grip of the rip!
About Tybee Island, GA.: The City of Tybee Island, Georgia is on the outermost barrier island off the Savannah area coast. With a wild bird sanctuary, over three miles of ocean beaches,
and salt marshes on the back river, outdoor recreation activities abound for visitors to the island. As a key defense point to the important Savannah port, Tybee’s Fort Screven, Tybee
Post Theater, Fort Pulaski, and the Tybee Island and Cockspur Lighthouses combine with the unique architectures of the island’s raised cottages to form a rich backdrop for history buffs.
Attracting a strong artistic community, there are several local supporting art galleries. Keeping the island interesting year round are several arts festivals, the Annual Pirate Fest,
the Beach Bum Parade, St Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Hot Rod Run, the Beach Bash, and the Christmas Parade, as well as fireworks displays on Independence and New Year’s Days off
the Walter W. Parker Pier and Pavilion. The Marine Science Center cooperates with Georgia’s DNR to protect threatened sea turtle species by searching for nests, protecting their eggs,
and making sure hatchlings make it to sea. For visitor information, stop by http://www.tybeevisit.com/, and to find more about the City of Tybee Island, visit our web site at http://www.cityoftybee.
org/.
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Beach warning flags will always be posted at each life guard station.
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Source: NOAA at http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/signs/rip_signs-r.pdf
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