{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.40721cc619e61b8743f6cf7f95a49b27b52be295.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Rip Current Statement issued July 20 at 12:52AM EDT until July 21 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-07-20","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.40721cc619e61b8743f6cf7f95a49b27b52be295.001.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL"},"word_count":201,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Rip Current Statement: Rip Current Statement issued July 20 at 12:52AM EDT until July 21 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL\n\n**Severity:** Moderate\n**Certainty:** Likely\n**Urgency:** Expected\n**Areas:** Pinellas; Coastal Hillsborough; Coastal Manatee; Coastal Sarasota; Coastal Charlotte; Coastal Lee\n**Issued by:** NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL\n**Sent:** 2026-07-20T00:52:00-04:00\n**Effective:** 2026-07-20T00:52:00-04:00\n**Expires:** 2026-07-20T09:00:00-04:00\n\n## Description\n* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.\n\n* WHERE...Pinellas, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee,\nCoastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte and Coastal Lee Counties.\n\n* WHEN...through 8 PM Tuesday.\n\n* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away\nfrom shore into deeper water.\n\n## Instructions\nThere is a high risk of rip currents.\n\nRip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away\nfrom shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the\nsandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as groins, jetties\nand piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and\nsigns.\n\nIf you become caught in a rip current, yell for help. Remain\ncalm, do not exhaust yourself and stay afloat while waiting for\nhelp. If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to\nshore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to\nswim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly."}