Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions. 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. A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing localized beach erosion and dangerous swimming conditions. 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.

HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST THURSDAY... ...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING... * WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 4 to 6 feet. For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents expected. For the Coastal Flood Statement, isolated minor coastal flooding expected. * WHERE...Pinellas, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee and Coastal Sarasota Counties. * WHEN...For the High Surf Advisory, until 7 AM EST Thursday. For the High Rip Current Risk, through Thursday morning. For the Coastal Flood Warning, from 10 AM this morning to 7 AM EST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Some water on low lying roads and property. Worst case scenario is for water levels up to 2 feet above ground level. Some shoreline erosion will occur. Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.