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High Rip Current Risk Through Monday

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – Whipping winds along the coasts of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties have prompted emergency officials to issue a rip current warning through Monday.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management is warning beachgoers across South Florida to stay out of the water where red flags are flying through Monday.

State meteorologist Amy Godsey said strong onshore winds and ocean swells can create rough beach conditions, including dangerous rip currents.

Rip currents run perpendicular to the beach, out into the ocean. The powerful currents are a major concern for beach lifeguards. According to the United States Lifesaving Association, 80 percent of surf beach rescues are attributed to rip currents.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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