May 25, 2013
In just two-months, a dozen drownings occurred across a hundred mile stretch from Panama City Beach to Pensacola.
A beach safety conference took place in South Walton County. Emergency responders, tourism officials and area physicians took part in the meeting. It was a brainstorming session to prevent future tragedy.
Many people either don't understand or simply ignore the red-flag warnings.
The group agreed that both the public and private sectors must do a better job in educating the public on the dangers of rip tides and strong surf in the gulf.
Nearly half of the drownings took place on South Walton County beaches. Two of the drownings happened at Panama City Beach.
This Thursday, a public hearing on beach safety will take place at the South Walton County Tourist Development Conference Center on Santa Rosa Beach.
