Swimmer pulled from rip current as high surf pounds Florida

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. —

A swimmer caught in a powerful rip current about 300 yards offshore was rescued Saturday as large waves pounded the Florida coastline.

Video from Boynton Beach shows a rescue crew racing through rough water to reach the swimmer, pulling him aboard a rescue jet ski and bringing him safely back through the inlet.

The dramatic rescue came as the National Weather Service warned of dangerous surf and rip currents along the coast, with breaking waves expected to reach 6 to 8 feet.

The rough conditions are being driven by swells moving down the Atlantic coast from a nor’easter.

Hearst sister station WPBF was at the beach Saturday as large swells rolled relentlessly toward shore.

Beachgoers said the ocean was impressive to watch but intimidating to enter. One beachgoer who occasionally surfs said the waves were simply too large.

“I do like to surf occasionally, but this is way too big for me,” she said.

The National Weather Service warns that rip currents can sweep even strong swimmers away from shore and is urging inexperienced swimmers to stay out of the water during the dangerous conditions.

The effects of the unusually high water could also be seen on land.

Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, Florida, was flooded Saturday morning, while beachgoers reported significant erosion along parts of the coastline.

“We were shocked at the size of the waves and how much erosion we already saw on the beach,” one woman said.

Some beachgoers said the water was so high that portions of the beaches were difficult or impossible to access.

“So here there is some beach, so that’s good,” one woman said. “But yeah, it’s exciting and powerful.”

The Lake Worth Beach Pier is also closed for the weekend because of the high waves, although the beach remains open.

The National Weather Service says dangerous surf and rip currents are expected to continue through Sunday evening.

Anyone heading to the beach is urged to use extreme caution before entering the water and to swim near a lifeguard when possible.