FORT MORGAN, Ala. — At least 22 people were rescued from the Gulf at Fort Morgan on Thursday after dangerous rip currents created life-threatening conditions along the Alabama coast.
The Fort Morgan Volunteer Fire Department said crews had responded to at least 22 water rescues by 4:30 p.m., with at least six people transported to hospitals and two airlifted in critical condition. Red flags were flying along Alabama beaches, a warning for beachgoers to stay out of the water, but responders said some people still entered the Gulf despite the conditions.
The incident is a reminder that rip currents can become dangerous quickly and are not always visible from shore. The National Weather Service says rip currents can sweep even strong swimmers away from shore, and Alabama beach safety guidance says they can move faster than an Olympic swimmer.
Beach safety officials advise swimmers to check flags and weather conditions before entering the water and to avoid the surf when red or double-red flags are posted. If caught in a rip current, swimmers should not fight the current directly but instead move parallel to shore and signal for help if needed.
The Fort Morgan rescues come after other recent warnings about rip currents on the Alabama coast, underscoring how quickly beach conditions can shift from routine to dangerous.