VCBS Expects Large Crowds and Rip Currents For The Memorial Day Weekend

Daytona Beach, FL – Big crowds, mid-day high tides, and hazardous rip current conditions are expected for the Memorial Day weekend, according to Volusia County Beach Safety (VCBS) Captain Tammy Malphurs. Malphurs says mid-day high tides will close beach access ramps each day.  She says the Beach Navigator app will show which ramps are open. "We’re telling people to get here early for easier access and easier parking. We do ask that when you come down the beach, try not to use one of those major thoroughfares to access the beach. Either go south or north and try to find a less busy approach." Beachgoers should leave the area the way they found it. Malphurs said safety issues should be taken care of before leaving the beach."If you dig holes, please fill those back in. They can become very dangerous at night for pedestrians. Also, for wildlife, those turtles, sometimes they can’t get out of those holes. So, leave it exactly the way you found it." All VCBS employees will be working this weekend. Malphurs asks everyone to go in the water in front of a staffed lifeguard staff for safety reasons. More than 150 people were rescued last weekend. She says don’t be afraid to ask a lifeguard about the water conditions.   Malphurs says the Beach Navigator app is the best way to keep up with what’s happening at the beach but you can also follow on Facebook. This week is Beach Safety Week and a new tip for beach safety will be posted there each day.