On Panama City Beach, we saw wind gusts up to 26 mph, and a storm surge of around 3 feet, but that’s really about it. We didn’t even get that much rain. At Pier Park yesterday morning, the water was covering the beach about 50% more than it usually does, and the waves were probably 6 to 8 feet, but everything died down quite a bit by evening.
Check the video after the break.
Continue reading “Hurricane Gustov offers storm surge, but little else”
An issue currently at debate is whether we should ticket beach goers that ignore warnings and enter the water despite red flag and double red flag conditions.
Walton County has been doing it for years and they don’t seem to have as many drownings as we do. Direct correlation? Hard to say. Does it help? I would think so.
Anything that is going to cost money will deter some people. It will never deter all, but it may help. In addition it could be another source of revenue for our county or city.
Sheriff Frank McKeithen said in a statement emailed the News Herald, printed in today’s paper, that the people that enter the water during dangerous conditions are not only endangering themselves, but endangering the officers, beach workers, or bystanders that may end up having to save them. Obvious point, Sheriff, but very good nonetheless. We need to do what we can to not only keep our tourists safe (despite themselves), but our officers and other locals that risk their lives to save others.
PCBDaily 