A warning if you're hitting the beach this summer -- rip currents could be a problem. Rip currents can carry away even strong swimmers, so don't take chances when red flags are up and/or life guards aren't on duty.
Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents can occur at any beach with breaking waves, including the Great Lakes.
Rip currents can be killers. The United States Lifesaving Association estimates that the annual number of deaths due to rip currents on our nation's beaches exceeds 100. Rip currents account for over 80 percent of rescues performed by surf beach lifeguards.
Thursday, May 16 2013 8:39 AM EDT2013-05-16 12:39:06 GMT
Officials awaited daybreak to fully assess the scope of the destruction left in the wake of a deadly tornado in Granbury.
Officials awaited daybreak to fully assess the scope of the destruction left in the wake of a deadly tornado in Granbury. Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds said he hoped the death toll from the tornado would hold at six, with about 50 people injured and 250 people left homeless.
