CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Rip currents and high surf are responsible for 15% of tropical cyclone-related fatalities over the last ten years. This comes second to inland flooding and rainfall, and recently caused more deaths than storm surge.
Similar to Helene, Hurricane Milton also increased the rip risk in Corpus Christi through Friday morning. A Weather Impact Alert has been issued for the dangerous rip currents and minor coastal flooding.
Swimming can quickly become dangerous, so the buddy system should be used. Talk to a lifeguard and check the conditions before getting in the water.
The problem with rip currents is they are difficult to spot. Rip currents form as a way to return water that crashes onto the beach back out to sea. Longer periods and larger waves will cause more water to rush onto the beach. The longer period allows for cleaner surf but also allows for a stronger rip current to form.
Wave heights will generally be up to 3 feet locally. The wave period is what really elevates the rip current risk. The wave period will run around 9-10 seconds through Saturday morning.
Minor coastal flooding will mostly impact Gulf-facing beaches around high tide, but the National Weather Service added coastal locations along the bays and Laguna Madre to the advisory. Traveling, parking, and camping on the beach may be hazardous with water rushing up to the dunes, especially with the larger waves.
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