Hurricane Rafael triggers urgent ‘do not swim’ warnings in two US states

Hurricane Rafael has prompted an urgent “do not swim” warning for Americans living in two states.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Coastal Hazard Message for Florida and Alabama due to the storm moving through the Gulf of Mexico.

Mobile and several places in the Sunshine State are along the path of the storm moving into the gulf, which will increase swells and create giant waves.

The beaches of Los Angeles are also under a warning for strong winds, which can create waves up to two meters high.

All three coastal areas are also expected to experience dangerous rip currents and powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water.

The NWS warned there is an increased risk of drowning due to the currents that can pull swimmers out to sea, wash people off beaches and capsize small boats.

Hurricane Rafael slammed into Cuba on Wednesday and is currently moving into the Gulf of Mexico, reaching its center on Saturday, but the high winds are impacting coastal areas of the US.

The storm’s movement creates a swell off the US coast, a series of waves that travel long distances across the ocean.

Mobile saw large waves of five to six feet breaking in the surf zone.

The warning includes the coastal counties of Mobile Coastal and Baldwin.

A high rip current risk is in effect until late Monday evening and a high surf advisory until 7pm ET on Saturday.

The Coastal Hazard notice for Florida included the coastal counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa Coastal and Okaloosa, which have the same timelines as Alabama.

Tallahassee received a separate alert, warning locals of large breaking waves up to six feet on Franklin County beaches.

High rip current risk will continue until late Sunday evening and high surf until 6:00 PM ET on Friday.

“Inexperienced swimmers should stay out of the water due to dangerous surfing conditions,” the message reads.

The NWS issued a high surf advisory Wednesday for Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands, between 30 and 100 miles off the California coast.

“Break waves of 4 to 8 feet will impact eastern portions of Catalina Island due to strong Santa Ana winds,” the warning reads.

Hurricane Rafael slammed into Cuba on Wednesday and is currently moving into the Gulf of Mexico, reaching its center on Saturday, but the high winds are impacting coastal areas of the US.

“Avalon and Two Harbors will be affected and minor nuisance coastal flooding is possible.”

The warning is in effect until 7:00 PM ET.

“Stay out of the water due to hazardous surf conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers,” the NWS shared in the message.

‘Stone jetties can be fatal under such conditions, stay away from the rocks.’

The gusts can also blow around unsecured objects and knock down trees and power lines.

‘These strong winds can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Please use extra caution,” the NWS statement said.

The message was also sent to beaches along Los Angeles County, San Gabriel Valley, Ojai Valley, Palos Verdes Hills and Western Antelope Valley Foothills.

Los Angeles and Orange counties will be windy Thursday with a speed limit of 75 miles per hour, dropping to 30 miles per hour overnight, reports said ABC News.

The high wind warning is also known as a red FAG warning, which means “critical fire conditions are now occurring or may occur soon and any fires may spread quickly and become difficult to extinguish,” according to the NWS.