Headline:
Rip Current Statement issued March 17 at 4:45PM AST until March 19 at 6:00PM AST by NWS San Juan PR
Event:
Rip Current Statement
Urgency:
Expected
Effective:
March 17, 2026 - 1:45pm
Expires:
March 18, 2026 - 3:00am
Description:
* WHAT...Life-threatening rip currents.
* WHERE...Along the exposed beaches in northern, eastern and
southern Puerto Rico, Culebra, Vieques, and the US Virgin
Islands.
* WHEN...Through Wednesday afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
from shore into deeper water, where it becomes difficult to
return to safety.
Instruction:
There is a high risk of rip currents.
Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away
from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the
sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as groins, jetties
and piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and
signs.
If you become caught in a rip current, yell for help. Remain
calm, do not exhaust yourself and stay afloat while waiting for
help. If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to
shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to
swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly.
Area Description:
San Juan and Vicinity; Northeast; Southeast; North Central; Northwest; Culebra; Vieques; St.Thomas...St. John.. and Adjacent Islands; St Croix
Forcast Office:
NWS San Juan PR
Sender:
w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov