PANAMA CITY, Fla. — Officials along the Gulf Coast beaches are trying to raise awareness about the dangers of swimming in the ocean.
This follows the deaths of three men in Panama City on Friday, and a teenager Thursday.
The highest alert flag is double red, which means the water is closed to the public.
The warning flags in Panama City right now are single red, that's what they were on Friday when the men drowned.
With a single red flag, the beaches are open, but dangerous.
"When you see the single red flag that's high hazard, high surf, and strong currents," said Brett Lesinger, Orange Beach Safety Division Chief.
A lot of the people who died were caught in rip currents. That's a strong current leading directly away from the shore. To escape one, swim parallel to the beach until you're out of the rip current, and then swim back.
Even with a green flag, caution is still advised, because conditions can change quickly.
Last year, Panama City was the deadliest beach in the U.S., with 8 deaths.
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