Hazardous coastal and marine conditions will persist today across northern beaches and exposed Atlantic waters.
Large breaking waves up to 11 ft and life-threatening rip currents. Small craft should exercise caution.
There is a high risk of rip currents in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Culebra, Vieques and across northern, western and northeastern Puerto Rico.
HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
* WHAT..Life-threatening rip currents.
* WHERE…Beaches of Vieques, and St Croix.
* WHEN…Through this afternoon.
* IMPACTS…Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water, where it becomes difficult to return to safety.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... There is a high risk of rip currents.
Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as groins, jetties and piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and signs.
If you become caught in a rip current, yell for help. Remain calm, do not exhaust yourself and stay afloat while waiting for help. If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly.