FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Windy conditions are triggering rip current alerts at several South Florida beaches as the busy Easter holiday weekend gets underway.

Dominique Williams, who has lived in the area for years, says she knows the warning signs.

When the shoreline looks rough like it did Friday, she keeps her son from going too far into the water. She stayed close, watching him as waves and currents remained strong.

“Stay very shallow, close to where that bank is,” Williams said.

Officials say others aren’t taking the same precautions. Alex Bagwell with Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue says crews have already turned away at least 10 people from the water.

In Pompano Beach, a rescue caught on Sky 10 shows just how dangerous conditions have become. Authorities say rough seas pulled several people offshore, including a father who was swept out while trying to help his child.

Pompano Beach officials say at least six people were taken to a local hospital.

With conditions expected to stay dangerous through the weekend, officials are now considering closing the beach.

Christina Vazquez

Christina returned to Local 10 in 2019 as a reporter after covering Hurricane Dorian for the station. She is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist and previously earned an Emmy Award while at WPLG for her investigative consumer protection segment "Call Christina."

Rip current concerns grow across South Florida as Easter weekend begins

Pompano Beach officials say at least 6 people were taken to a local hospital

About The Author

Christina Vazquez