With recent deaths, flag system at the beach being taught to beach-goers

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Six people have died while swimming in local waters over the weekend and more rip currents are set to stir the gulf. As a result, beach-goers are seeing more and more double red flags.

While most locals fully understand the flag system and how powerful the gulf can be, many visitors to the area may not be familiar with the flag system, or how dangerously deceiving the beautiful blue gulf can be. In order to see if those beachgoers know what the flags actually mean, NewsChannel 7 took to the sand to ask them.

One woman that frequents the beach said that the flags are a clear instruction.

“You can’t get in the water,” Beth Axelberg stated simply.

Others agreed.

“If there are two red flags, don’t swim,” said Alyssa Parazie.

For another man, it was reminder of what he should be afraid of.

“Well, it is drowning, a risk of drowning I am sure,” said John Wall.

While most seemed to know what the flags mean, not everybody knew the penalty of swimming during double red flags.

After possible warnings, those in the water are liable to be fined $500. Continued swimming can then result in jail time.

To combat the danger, lifeguards were in full swing preventing and educating beachgoers.