Florida Division of Emergency Management officials are reminding beachgoers to stay alert as strong onshore winds along the entire Atlantic Coast will bring rough surf and a high risk of rip currents throughout the week. These conditions will also bring an elevated risk of rip currents along portions of the Panhandle through tomorrow. Those traveling to the beach should be aware that when red beach warning flags are flying, swimming in Florida’s coastal waters can be dangerous. 

Recreational and commercial blue crab harvesters in the St. Johns River system must remove their blue crab traps from the water before Jan. 16, the first day of a 10-day trap closure. This closure will give groups authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to gather traps the opportunity to identify and retrieve lost and abandoned blue crab traps from the water.