Photos for Headline Surfer / TOP& LEFT: The beaches along the Voluaia County coastline have reopened after several days of dangerous rip currents. BELOW: Tamra Malphurs, the director of Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue, provides an update to Headline Surfer on beach conditions.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Although the beaches were reopened on Monday after that weekend's dangerous rip current situation, red flag warnings remain in place heading into this weekend, according to beach safety officials.
"The beach is open to swimming, but we are flying the red flag for hazardous rip current conditions," Tamra Malphurs, the director of Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue, told Headline Surfer. "While the beaches were reopened, there are still stretches where beach access is restricted until further notice."
"Overall, we’re seeing only minor erosion, with the exception of the jetty connector area," Malphurs said. "Small pieces of debris are washing up. There are several large gaps where conservation poles are missing, so the beach will remain closed to driving until those can be replaced. In addition, a few walkovers have been closed due to drop-offs and safety concerns."
"The beach is open to swimming, but we are flying the red flag for hazardous rip current conditions," Tamra Malphurs, the director of Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue, told Headline Surfer. "While the beaches were reopened, there are still stretches where beach access is restricted until further notice." She added, "Overall, we’re seeing only minor erosion, with the exception of the jetty connector area. Small pieces of debris are washing up. There are several large gaps where conservation poles are missing, so the beach will remain closed to driving until those can be replaced. In addition, a few walkovers have been closed due to drop-offs and safety concerns."
Volusia County Beach Safety has removed the double-red flags along the coastline. However, hazardous conditions and rip currents remain in effect. Please exercise extreme caution when traveling to the beach.
Volusia County Beach Safety has issued double-red flags along the coastline, prohibiting anyone from entering the water until further notice due to hazardous surf conditions, strong rip currents, and a significant amount of debris left behind by recent tidal activity.
The Jetty Connector in Ponce Inlet also sustained significant damage following recent severe tidal activity. The structure has been closed to the public since Hurricane Imelda, when it first experienced tide-related impacts. Once conditions improve, county crews will begin debris removal.
Recent tides have also brought large amounts of seaweed ashore.
Beach Safety officials remind visitors not to remove or disturb the seaweed, as it plays an important role in capturing sand and helping beaches and dunes recover naturally.
Beach driving access will likely remain limited over the next several days until conditions improve. Beachgoers can stay informed about current conditions and open beach access points by downloading and using the Volusia Beaches app.
About the Byline Writer:
Henry Frederick is an award-winning journalist who launched Headline Surfer in 2008. The site serves the greater Daytona Beach, Sanford, and Orlando areas along the I-4 corridor and beyond via HeadlineSurfer.com in Lake Mary, Florida. Frederick earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University in Orlando in 2019. He was a breaking news reporter (metro cops & courts beat) for the Daytona Beach News-Journal for nearly a decade, and before that, the same beat with The Journal-News/Gannett Suburban Newspapers in Rockland/Westchester counties, NY, dating back to 1989. He's also worked as a city editor and city hall reporter for two dailies. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and covering other high-profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary shows on Discovery ID, Reelz & the Oxygen Network series "Snapped" for his analysis. Assisting Henry Frederick with Headline Surfer is Sera King, who writes about the weather and feature stories, takes photos, shoots video, and occasionally draws editorial cartoons. • Bio: https://henryfrederick.com/.