Mobile and several places in the Sunshine State are along the path of the storm that is moving into the Gulf, increasing swell that will create giant waves. All three coastal regions are also expected to see dangerous rip currents, powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water. The NWS warned there is an increased risk of drowning due to the rip currents that could pull swimmers out to sea, wash people off beaches and capsize small boats.
Hurricane Rafael barreled over Cuba on Wednesday and is currently moving into the Gulf of Mexico, reaching the middle by Saturday, but its high winds are impacting coastal parts of the US. The storm's movement is creating a swell off the coast of the US, which is a series of waves that travel long distances across the ocean.
The alert includes Mobile Coastal and Baldwin Coastal Counties. A high rip current risk is in effect through late Monday night and the high surf advisory until 7pm ET on Saturday. The Coastal Hazard message for Florida included Escambia, Santa Rosa Coastal and Okaloosa coastal counties, which have the same timelines as those in Alabama.
'Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions,' reads the message. Tallahassee received a separate alert, warning locals of large breaking waves of up to six feet at Franklin county beaches.
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