Beach Flag Warning System

20 02, 2022

Be Respectful to Wildlife

By |2022-09-22T09:46:59+00:00February 20th, 2022|Blog|0 Comments

It’s essential to respect all wildlife you encounter along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. The Leave, Only Footprints initiative is about keeping the Alabama Coast clean, safeguarding the ecosystem, and protecting wildlife and their habitats. Are you wondering how to respect wildlife along Alabama’s Gulf Coast? It’s pretty simple! Observe wildlife from a distance. Harassing wildlife wastes the energy that they need to survive. If you disrupt their habitat, it may become unusable, and the animals will be forced into unsafe situations. [...]

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13 10, 2021

Check the flags when you head to the beach 

By |2021-10-14T15:46:24+00:00October 13th, 2021|Blog|0 Comments

With summer in our rear-view mirror, it’s easy to get a little too relaxed when we had to the beach for fun in the surf. It’s the season for tropical disturbances to meander around in the Gulf. They may be far away and pose no threat to Alabama’s beautiful coast, but they can cause significant rip currents on our coast that sometimes aren’t visible. The best way to make sure the water is safe is to observe the beach warning [...]

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6 05, 2021

Heed the warning – beach flags are there for a purpose

By |2021-04-29T18:05:18+00:00May 6th, 2021|Blog|0 Comments

Sometimes we just walk by and don’t even notice them. They are yellow or red, with a purple thrown in every now and then. Do you know what the flags flying at the beaches in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach mean? Yellow flags indicate a moderate hazard of currents and surf. Red flags are a sign of strong currents and high surf. Think of red as a sign of danger and exercise extreme caution in the water. If you are [...]

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18 03, 2021

Check surf conditions before hitting the beach

By |2021-03-24T17:19:21+00:00March 18th, 2021|Blog|0 Comments

“Break the Grip of the Rip” is a popular graphic in coastal areas. Do you know how to spot the current and how to escape? Rip currents are narrow, strong currents that flow away from the beach and account for more than 30,000 rescues a year nationwide. These dangerous currents can be found anywhere there are breaking waves and even around piers and jetties. With spring break and summer just around the corner, we want you to know how to [...]

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16 09, 2020

Purple is an important color in the Beach Flag Warning System

By |2020-09-23T16:17:00+00:00September 16th, 2020|Blog|0 Comments

There are many things to be aware of when you’re enjoying a day playing and swimming at the beach. If you take precautions with sunscreen and water safety, observe the warning flags, and practice the Leave Only Footprints program, a fun day at the beach will remain fun!   Those familiar with the Alabama Beach Warning Flag System probably know what the green, yellow and red flags indicate. But do you know what the purple flag means? The purple flag is flown when dangerous marine life [...]

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25 05, 2020

Beach safety: Understanding the flags on the beach 

By |2020-05-18T20:26:00+00:00May 25th, 2020|Blog|0 Comments

Green, yellow, red, purple, double red. Those are the flag colors you see flying along the Gulf of Mexico beaches in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. The flags are there for your safety, but do you know what they mean?    Weather and wildlife conditions - locally and offshore - can cause dangerous situations at our beaches. It may be easy to recognize high surf and dangerous waves, but rip currents may not always be visible on top of the water. Conditions can change quickly, so always exercise caution, even on calm days.   Let’s take a look at our flags, one [...]

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22 04, 2020

What do flags on the beach mean? 

By |2020-04-01T17:54:20+00:00April 22nd, 2020|Blog|0 Comments

Before entering the water, it’s important to note what color flag is flying near the shore. The flags are there to alert us to the condition of the water. They inform us regarding whether it’s safe to swim, including warnings of marine pests. The United States Lifesaving Association and the International Lifesaving Federation developed a flag warning system to inform swimmers of water hazards. Below is the definition of each so you will know the meaning on your next beach trip.   Yellow Flag Meaning: Medium hazard  Moderate surf and/or currents [...]

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2 05, 2018

What to do when you see red beach flags

By |2019-08-01T11:14:44+00:00May 2nd, 2018|Blog|0 Comments

How do you know if it’s going to be a safe day for swimming at the beach? Actually, it’s pretty simple to find out. Call 251-968-TIDE (8433) or 251-981-SURF (7873) to check surf conditions in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The beach warning flag system is color-coded. Just think of the flags as traffic signals. Of course, red means stop. If a red flag is flying, that indicates high surf with strong currents. It’s dangerous even for experienced swimmers. High [...]

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4 04, 2018

Beach safety tips for your visit

By |2019-08-01T12:19:56+00:00April 4th, 2018|Blog|0 Comments

Headed to the beach this spring or summer? It’s a ton of fun for the whole family, and we would like to offer some tips to ensure a safe visit. First, wear sunscreen. Exposure to the sun’s rays can cause skin damage and even skin cancer. Beyond that, a bad burn can ruin an otherwise wonderful beach vacation. So cover your skin and reapply throughout the day. Second, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Third, obey posted signs and [...]

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30 05, 2017

Know Before you go: What do the Flag Colors Mean?

By |2019-08-01T11:27:34+00:00May 30th, 2017|Blog|0 Comments

A day may be sunny and the water beautiful, but high surf and/or strong currents can create a dangerous time to go into the Gulf of Mexico. When you visit the beach, you don’t want to take unnecessary risks. Yes, playing in those big waves can be fun, but be aware of the warnings. Take a few moments to learn about each color of the flag warning system. A yellow flag indicates a medium hazard. Proceed, but with caution. A [...]

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