Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge

* WHAT...High Rip Current Risk, life-threatening rip currents.

* WHERE...North-facing beaches of Puerto Rico, including Culebra.

* WHEN...Through Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away

from shore into deeper water, where it becomes difficult to

return to safety.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Lingering northerly swells generated by

distant surface low over the central Atlantic will support

breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet and a high risk of life-

threatening rip currents along the northern exposed beaches of

Puerto Rico and Culebra.

What to do: There is a high risk of rip currents. Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as groins, jetties and piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and signs. If you become caught in a rip current, yell for help. Remain calm, do not exhaust yourself and stay afloat while waiting for help. If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current a