Beach Conditions

When swimming in the Gulf, safety should be your top priority. Franklin County uses universally accepted color-coded beach flags to keep the public aware of sea conditions. Observe flag colors before entering the water. When double red flags are flying, it means the water is closed. The absence of beach flags does not assure safe waters.

Many visitors think rip currents are not present on a calm day. This is false. Rip currents are NOT just associated with hurricanes and bad weather. Dangerous rip currents can exist on an otherwise beautiful, sunny day. Many Gulf Coast counties do not fly green flags indicating low hazard because rip currents can develop quickly and at any time in Gulf waters.  

If caught in a rip current:

• Stay calm.
• Don’t try to swim directly back to shore against the current.
• Swim parallel to the beach until you’re out of the current.
• Then angle back toward shore.
• If you can’t escape, float or tread water and signal for help.

Please respect all beach warning flags and surf conditions. Entering the water when hazardous conditions exist can put both you and those who may come to your aid at risk.