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.
The problem with rip currents is they are difficult to spot. Additionally, this danger can be amplified hundreds of miles away from a storm.
Similar to Helene, Hurricane Milton has 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.
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 mostly be 3-5 feet locally, but a few head-high plus sets may roll through the area now that Milton reached Cat 5 just over 500 miles off our coastline. The wave period is what really elevates the rip current risk as it will be 8-11 seconds through Friday morning.
Minor coastal flooding will mostly impact gulf-facing beaches around high tide. 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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