VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A 51-year-old Indiana man drowned Saturday off Volusia County as storms churned in the Atlantic, according to authorities.
The man was pulled into the ocean by the surf around 5 p.m. and couldn’t make it back to shore, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office said on social media.
Volusia County Beach Safety on Monday said the man was swimming in an unguarded area of the beach near 1515 South in Daytona Beach.
Crews performed tried to resuscitate the man, but he did not survive, officials said.
At the time of the drowning, hazardous rip current conditions were present and red flags were posted, according to beach officials.
Authorities said red flags will continue to be flown throughout the week as forecasts call for very strong and dangerous rip currents along the coast.
Beach Safety officials urge everyone to swim in front of a staffed lifeguard tower.
“We cannot stress enough the importance of swimming near lifeguards, especially during hazardous conditions,” officials said. “Rip currents are powerful and can develop quickly, putting even strong swimmers at risk.”
Not a good time to be in the water, and the storm offshore is not going to make conditions any better.
Rip currents are strong, beach flags are red, and Volusia County lifeguards have made hundreds of rescues over the past several days.
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Swimming in the ocean is not recommended right now. But anytime you’re in the water, remember to swim in front of a staffed lifeguard tower for safety.
Volusia Sheriff's Office on Facebook