Red Tide Alert for South Walton

TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,970 postsJoined Nov 15, '04View profile MessageSoWal Guide

Sep 20, '21 · 9:26 AM10,0941

South Walton Fire District:
RED TIDE ALERT!
Monday Sep 20 2021

If you visited the beach throughout the weekend, you may have noticed difficulty breathing or other respiratory issues that seemed to disappear shortly after you left the sand.

These issues are largely related to "Red Tide," which is a harmful algal bloom (HAB). One of the most commonly known HABs in the United States occurs nearly every summer along Florida's Gulf Coast, and we're noticing its presence in South Walton this week.

Do not panic. This will come to an end. However, anyone with minor to severe respiratory issues should use their best judgement when visiting the beach. In case of respiratory emergency, alert the nearest lifeguard or call 911.

As a warning, South Walton Fire District is flying the Purple Flag to indicate a large presence of dangerous marine life or pests (algae). Be safe out there!

Learn more here:

Red Tide Reports and Information for South Walton & 30A Florida

Red Tide can ruin a day at the beach in Walton County, Florida. Luckily, Red Tide is pretty rare in South Walton. The 30A beaches rarely get Red Tide, but when it come it is no fun. Red Tide can ruin a vacation if it is present in the Gulf of Mexico. Although sometimes it is mild and people...

sowal.com

What is a red tide?

A red tide is one type of harmful algal bloom. Blooms occur when colonies of algae--simple ocean plants that live in the sea--grow out of control while producing toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and birds.

oceanservice.noaa.gov

Edited Sep 20, '21 · 1:46 PM

Replies

Jashleyren Jashleyren avatar

JashleyrenBeach ComberDestin7 postsJoined Sep 15, '21View profile MessageBeach Comber

Sep 20, '21 · 11:35 AM#2

Thank you for posting. My wife and I noticed it yesterday in a brief visit to a beach in Miramar. Sneezing and a light cough, which was so strange. We also started noticing it in some people near us, and then I knew something was up. And then we saw it: a dead fish, about 18 inches long, which the birds welcomed.

I knew the water had a different hue to it, in pockets. I was glad to see the strange orange orb in the sky, even veiled thinly by clouds, but not a good beach day, which is hard to imagine!

Jessicarusso205 Jessicarusso205 avatar

Jessicarusso205Beach CrabFlorida1 postJoined Sep 21, '21View profile MessageBeach Crab

Sep 21, '21 · 3:17 PM#3

My family and I just left today from seacrest (hwy30a). We also were experiencing these symptoms, the burning in the eyes was unlike any other experiences from salt water. I have asthma and it has irritated my lungs. Yesterday we saw one dead fish well this morning there is multiple(over 10) washed ashore! 4 days ago red algae was floating all around us.

Matt J

Matt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined May 9, '07View profile MessageSWGB

Sep 21, '21 · 5:03 PM#4

My family and I just left today from seacrest (hwy30a). We also were experiencing these symptoms, the burning in the eyes was unlike any other experiences from salt water. I have asthma and it has irritated my lungs. Yesterday we saw one dead fish well this morning there is multiple(over 10) washed ashore! 4 days ago red algae was floating all around us.

You can thank all the folks with yards south of 98. The runoff exacerbates the problem. This was not an issue 15 years ago.

Kurt

KurtAdminSoWal2,470 postsJoined Oct 15, '04View profile MessageAdmin

Sep 22, '21 · 8:14 AM#5

Yesterday morning in Seagrove I didn't notice any red tide while I was on the walkover at San Juan.

There was a touch of red tide in the air in Grayton Beach yesterday afternoon with an onshore wind. If it had been calm or an offshore wind you probably wouldn't notice. Unless you were in the water. I would stay out out of the water if you get any hints of it.

justhavinfun justhavinfun avatar

justhavinfunBeach FanaticEastern Lake378 postsJoined Nov 13, '08View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Sep 22, '21 · 9:07 AM#6

Same here Kurt - I was at the Eastern Lake outflow yesterday and in the water - I did not notice anything as well

Jashleyren Jashleyren avatar

JashleyrenBeach ComberDestin7 postsJoined Sep 15, '21View profile MessageBeach Comber

Sep 23, '21 · 9:32 AM#7

You can thank all the folks with yards south of 98. The runoff exacerbates the problem. This was not an issue 15 years ago.

While I agree with you somewhat, as much rain as the entire southeast has had this summer, I'm surprised it's not been a bigger problem. That old Mississippi River has to be ejecting huge amounts of runoff from the north. We seem to be in store for a long dry period, and it's way overdue. I expect all of this to clear, if it hasn't already, quickly.

Matt J

Matt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined May 9, '07View profile MessageSWGB

Sep 24, '21 · 7:39 AM#8

While I agree with you somewhat, as much rain as the entire southeast has had this summer, I'm surprised it's not been a bigger problem. That old Mississippi River has to be ejecting huge amounts of runoff from the north. We seem to be in store for a long dry period, and it's way overdue. I expect all of this to clear, if it hasn't already, quickly.

The Mississippi takes a minute to drain so much of that runoff will contribute to next year.

Oddly storms seem to help as they agitate the water and mix it up.

Teresa

TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,970 postsJoined Nov 15, '04View profile MessageSoWal GuideAuthor

Sep 24, '21 · 2:06 PM#9

I hear the red tide seems to be gone. Hope so.

S-dubOgS-dubOgBeach Lovergulf78 postsJoined Sep 30, '17View profile MessageBeach Lover

Sep 24, '21 · 5:55 PM#10

Just strong north winds blowing it out to deeper waters, my guess is it will be back when the wind comes back around on shore.

Wuchie

WuchieBeach Lover98 postsJoined Apr 10, '12View profile MessageBeach Lover

Sep 30, '21 · 11:02 AM#11

My husband and I are concerned about the ride tide at Miramar Beach because we are scheduled for vacation Oct. 18-28. Should we postpone until November? Any thoughts?

justhavinfun justhavinfun avatar

justhavinfunBeach FanaticEastern Lake378 postsJoined Nov 13, '08View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Sep 30, '21 · 12:07 PM#12

Red tide comes and go with the winds and weather - No one can predict where it will land and how long it will stay. The best resource is the State Red Tide page located below.

Statewide

myfwc.com

Beachlover2 Beachlover2 avatar

Beachlover2Beach FanaticSoWal819 postsJoined Jun 17, '05View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Sep 30, '21 · 1:58 PM#13

It really hasn't been that big of a concern in Miramar Beach. I am usually effected by it but there have just been a few times that I have noticed it - then it is just a few sneezes so far. Anything is possible though - especially 3 weeks out - no way of predicting that.

Teresa

TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,970 postsJoined Nov 15, '04View profile MessageSoWal GuideAuthor

Oct 1, '21 · 10:46 AM#14

I haven't heard anything about red Tide recently. Anyone?

bob bob

bob bobBeach FanaticSRB889 postsJoined Mar 29, '17View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Oct 1, '21 · 12:54 PM#15

9-29-21
The Florida Department of Health in Bay County (DOH-Bay) is notifying the public of a red tide bloom near St. Andrews State Park. Some people may have mild and short-lived respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation similar to cold symptoms.