Every year during the tourist season, we do our best to protect the beach goers. We have a very excellent flag system that spells it out for you. The only problem is, people just don’t think about it.
They come to Destin for a vacation and to have a good time. Their main goal is the soak up the sun and the waves as much as they can given the time they have. So what if the waves are a bit big, or the current is a bit strong. They can take care of themselves.
Several years ago we had 8 drownings in a week on my beaches. By that I mean the three main beaches that surround where I live. Eight people did not take heed to the warnings and lost their lives. One instance it was the rescuer that died after saving 5 people.
This week is our biggest crowd here and we have already had 2 drownings. Two lives that were lost due to just not paying attention. We had a surfer that got hit with some major waves out there and the current dislocated his knee. Had a visitor in a hotel by where he was at not heard his screams, he would have been washed out to sea.
It is a simple thing. Green is perfect. No problem. Yellow means you might want to be a tad bit careful out there. Red means baddddd currents and undertows. DOUBLE RED means DO NOT GO IN THE WATER!!!! We have lifeguards stationed along our beaches and when someone is in trouble they never think twice. They risk their lives to save others. It’s what they do. Thank God for them.
This weekend they pulled at least 12 people out of the undertows. One was a child. Thank God the lifeguards got to them in time. With all the storms we have been having our waters are not safe. Especially with children. If you only would pay attention to your surroundings and the flags you would have a fantastic visit to our area.
That’s all we ask. Listen and learn!