Authorities on the Gulf Coast warn of drowning in the sea

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – Officials along Gulf Coast beaches are trying to raise awareness about the dangers of ocean swimming.

Previously, three men died in Panama City on Friday and a teenager on Thursday.

The highest alert level is double red, which means the body of water is closed to the public.

The warning flags in Panama City are currently solid red, which is what they were on Friday when the men drowned.

If there is only one red flag, the beaches are open but dangerous.

“If you see a single red flag, it means high danger, high waves and strong currents,” said Brett Lesinger, Orange Beach’s safety director.

Many of the fatalities were caught in rip currents, which are strong currents that run directly away from shore. To escape a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the rip current, then swim back.

Even with a green flag, caution is still advised as conditions can change quickly.

Last year, Panama City was the deadliest beach in the United States, with eight fatalities.

Click here to report a typo.

► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered straight to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now on the iOS App Store or Google Play.