Nine people died off Northwest Florida beaches this season, including five who drowned while red flags were flying on unguarded beaches in South Walton County.
That number also includes a Niceville High School boy who died trying to help another swimmer on Okaloosa Island, and three medically related deaths that occurred in “standing-depth water,” officials said.
“I can’t remember the number of drownings being that high,” said Chris Lambert, a lifeguard supervisor in South Walton County.
Gary Wise, the South Walton Fire District’s beach safety director, said the five who drowned were in unguarded areas “in the vicinity” of rip currents and within sight of flying red flags.
In Okaloosa County, the teen’s after-hours drowning prompted a decision to keep lifeguards on the beach two hours longer each day.
Rich Huffnagle, director of Okaloosa County Beach Safety, said he expects the extended hours to carry over to next summer.
“We had 22 rescues after we extended the hours, so it was a good decision to do that,” Huffnagle said.
The South Walton Fire District plans to have new initiatives in place next summer. All first responders will receive basic lifeguard training.
“They can get in and get someone out of the water without endangering themselves,” Lambert said. “We will be actively working to make our beaches as safe as possible.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.