GALVESTON, Texas — Lifeguards are preparing for large crowds and strong surf conditions due to Tropical Storm Beryl, which is expected to bring rip currents and dangerous surf along the Gulf Coast.
After a busy July 4 holiday, lifeguards are watching for people dealing with water conditions and the heat. The Galveston Island Beach Patrol is urging people to be mindful of the water conditions this upcoming weekend.
“What we want to remember is our first mission is to keep all these people here for Fourth of July (weekend) safe,” Galveston Island Beach Patrol Chief Peter Davis said.
As the forecast for Beryl is still changing, he said they’re in a holding pattern until the track becomes clear, but staying prepared.
“We’re looking at those tide forecasts right now, they’re almost to our 4-foot threshold where we move equipment off the beach. I know this is going to change a lot,” Davis said.
He said a maintenance crew is ready to move equipment as early as 3 a.m. Sunday. That could include 32 lifeguard chairs, hundreds of trash cans and other equipment.
If you’re at the beach late Sunday or Monday, ocean conditions could become dangerous.
“If we have high tides and big surf, we can start getting a lot of rip currents in areas where there’s structures,” Davis said.
If you see a red flag flying this weekend, it means non-swimming adults and children should stay out of the water. Adults who are strong swimmers can stay in waist-deep water or less.
Rip currents, which typically occur close to piers or jetties, can get stronger and pop up anywhere with stronger surf. It’s recommended to double or triple your distance from structures if there’s a rip current advisory.
Anyone caught in a rip current is encouraged to swim parallel to shore or call for help from a lifeguard. Davis doesn’t recommend good Samaritans go and rescue someone caught in a rip current. Instead, you can toss something that floats out to the swimmer.
“Any kind of storm or hurricane increases your odds of stronger surf and rip currents, that sort of thing, when you have those conditions, you want to be extra careful," he said.
Additional information on rip currents and other storm conditions can be found on the Beach Patrol website.