05/22/2026
🚨 CRITICAL BEACH SAFETY ALERT: PLEASE STAY OUT OF THE WATER 🚨
The Orange Beach Police Department and Surf Rescue have already responded to at least 5 calls for swimmers in distress TODAY.
Conditions are extremely dangerous right now. We need everyone—residents and visitors alike—to take this warning seriously.
🚩 Current Flag Status: SINGLE RED FLAG
A Single Red Flag signifies High Hazard, High Surf, and Strong Rip Currents. For your safety and the safety of our emergency first responders, we strongly urge everyone to stay out of the Gulf and remain safely on the shore. If you are on the beach today, please review and share these critical safety protocols immediately:
🌊 How to Survive a Rip Current
Rip currents are powerful, localized channels of water that pull swimmers rapidly away from the shore. If you get caught in one:
Do NOT Fight the Current: Do not try to swim straight back to shore against the pull. You will quickly exhaust yourself.
Swim Parallel: Swim sideways (parallel to the shoreline) until you are free of the current's pull, then swim at an angle back to the beach.
Float and Signal: If you cannot escape by swimming, conserve your energy by floating or treading water. Face the shore, wave your arms, and shout for help.
🚫 If You See Someone in Distress: DO NOT GO IN
It is a natural instinct to swim out to rescue a struggling swimmer, but rip currents frequently claim the lives of well-intentioned bystanders.
Call 911 immediately and alert the nearest lifeguard.
Throw, Don't Go: Look for a flotation device (a cooler, a boogie board, a life ring) and throw it out to the victim.
Yell Instructions: Shout to them to remain calm, float, and swim parallel to the shore.
📲 Stay Informed in Real-Time
Beach conditions can change rapidly. Stay ahead of the hazards by signing up for instant local alerts:
Text ALBEACHES to 888777 to receive daily morning beach conditions and flag updates directly to your phone.
Please respect the power of the Gulf today. Keep your feet on the sand and let’s make sure everyone goes home safe.