An Ocean Rescue assistant captain warned that unusually high tides could make it harder for crews to drive along the beach while responding to emergencies.
JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — High tides, powerful currents and gusty winds are creating challenging conditions for Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue this weekend.
With turbulent surf, the risk of debris being carried into the water and tides potentially blocking beach access, Ocean Rescue officials hope the conditions will discourage most visitors from entering the ocean.
“It’s very windy out there, but we’ve been having fun today,” Jacques Evans said as he left the beach. “We’ve been getting some seashells.”
Evans traveled from Valdosta, Georgia, with his family for a day at Jacksonville Beach.
For some family members, including Janae Evans, it was their first visit to the beach.
But the strong wind and rough surf kept the family out of the water.
“They said there could be a little small storm, so I already knew it was going to be bad out here,” Jacques Evans said.
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The family still found ways to enjoy the day without swimming. Ocean Rescue Assistant Captain Rob Emahiser hopes other visitors make the same choice.
“We want to advise people to stay out of the water,” Emahiser said. “Come and look, but consider doing that from the land. Stay on the beach. Don’t try surfing or swimming for the first time. Unless you’re an expert, you shouldn’t be out there.”
Emahiser said lifeguards are carrying flippers whenever they patrol or respond to calls, preparing for the possibility that they will need to navigate the rough surf.
“With the higher than usual tide, it may be possible there’s a high enough tide that we may not be able to get to certain spots via the beach,” Emahiser said. “May have to take the street. If we have a response to an emergency, it could take longer.”
He also expects the water could reach the dunes, forcing lifeguards to adapt to a significantly reshaped shoreline.
“We’ll lose a lot of sand,” Emahiser said. “A lot of sand will be pulled off the beach and be just offshore in sandbars.”
As a result, the beach will likely remain narrower until another renourishment project is completed.
The most recent renourishment took place in 2024. The next one is not expected until 2029 or 2030, depending on the impact of major weather events.