Rip Current Statement 12/19/2024 05:59 for Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands areas

Headline: 
Rip Current Statement issued December 19 at 9:59AM AST until December 20 at 6:00PM AST by NWS San Juan PR
Event: 
Rip Current Statement
Urgency: 
Expected
Effective: 
December 19, 2024 - 5:59am
Expires: 
December 19, 2024 - 2:00pm
Description: 
* WHAT...Life-threatening rip currents due to breaking waves between 6 to 8 feet. * WHERE...Beaches of northern Puerto Rico, from Aguadilla to Fajardo, and St. Croix. * WHEN...Through Friday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Rip currents that can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water where it becomes difficult to return to safety.
Instruction: 
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.
Area Description: 
San Juan and Vicinity; Northeast; North Central; Northwest; St Croix
Forcast Office: 
NWS San Juan PR