Many surf zone fatalities occur when distant hurricanes send swells to shore that create dangerous conditions at the coast, the hurricane center said.

The National Weather Service lists 16 known deaths so far in 2024 from rip currents in U.S. waters, including the Florida fatalities as well as eight deaths in Puerto Rico and two in Texas.

In response to rising surf and rip current fatalities, the NHC will now provide a national rip current risk map, highlighting dangerous conditions stemming from both local and distant hurricanes.

New rip current risk map will highlight dangerous conditions stemming from hurricanes Due to an increase in surf and rip current fatalities in the United States, the NHC will provide current risk ...

In general, fatalities ... maps will not provide specific information on surf heights. Any increased attention to rip current risks is a good thing, said officials in Panama City Beach, Florida.