Rip Current Statement

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
215 AM EST Mon Feb 16 2026

FLZ050-151-155-160-162-165-170000-
/O.NEW.KTBW.RP.S.0011.260216T0715Z-260217T0000Z/
Pinellas-Coastal Hillsborough-Coastal Manatee-Coastal Sarasota-
Coastal Charlotte-Coastal Lee-
215 AM EST Mon Feb 16 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Pinellas, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee,
  Coastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte and Coastal Lee Counties.

* WHEN...Through this evening.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
  from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$