Lifeguards on high alert at Jacksonville Beach

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The weekend drownings of both an 11-year-old boy and a man have people on Jacksonville Beach on full alert, especially our lifeguards.

The red flags are out all across the beach. Lifeguards say people on the beach need to be extra careful.

A 12-year-old girl was reportedly pulled from the water at Jacksonville Beach around 4:30 p.m. in the eighth rescue of the day. She was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Lifeguards are paying extra-close attention to the water.

"We are definitely on a more higher alert,” said Certified Lifeguard Max Ervanian.

Ervanian is one of the head lifeguards on Jacksonville Beach. He says on a normal day, there are about 20 or so lifeguards on duty, but this holiday there are 46.

"Today is a red flag day, very extreme ocean conditions, dangerous conditions and large waves,” said Ervanian.

Because the rip currents are so strong, lifeguards are making several trips up and down the beach. They want to make sure people are being safe in the water.

“The current is taking you from the north to the south end, the undertow or the back wash of the wave maybe a little stronger than normal,” said Ervanian.

So far, lifeguards have rescued eight people and given over 600 warnings. Atlantic Beach didn’t have any rescues, but did give out about 12 warnings, because people were swimming too far offshore.