A Beach Hazard Statement (BHS) is an official weather product issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) to alert the public to dangerous environmental conditions along coastal areas. This advisory indicates that hazards may pose a threat to swimmers and beachgoers. The statement focuses on conditions that make water entry unsafe, emphasizing the need for heightened caution near the surf zone. It provides advance notice so people can adjust their plans before visiting the coast.
Understanding the Official Terminology
The National Weather Service issues a Beach Hazard Statement when conditions are hazardous but do not meet the criteria for a more severe Warning. This alert falls into the category of a “Statement,” or an advisory-level product, which means the hazard is either imminent, occurring, or has a high probability of occurring, posing a significant risk. Unlike a Watch, which signals that conditions are favorable for a hazard to develop, a BHS confirms that a specific threat is present or highly expected.
The statement is a communication tool used to cover a range of hazards that create life-threatening conditions in the surf zone, the area between the beach and the first line of breaking waves. The NWS disseminates this information through various channels, including their official website, local media reports, and the colored flag warning systems posted at the beach itself. A BHS is generally issued when a “high swim risk” is anticipated, meaning swimming conditions may be life-threatening to anyone who enters the water.
Key Water Hazards That Trigger the Statement
A Beach Hazard Statement is most frequently triggered by dangerous water movements that can quickly overwhelm swimmers. The most common and deadly threat is the presence of rip currents, which are powerful, narrow channels of water flowing rapidly away from the shore. These currents form when water piled up on the shore by breaking waves seeks a path back out to sea, often occurring at low spots in sandbars or near fixed structures like jetties and piers.
In addition to rip currents, the statement often highlights dangerous shore break, which involves high, powerful waves breaking directly on the beach. These waves can make swimming exceedingly difficult and quickly exhaust even a strong swimmer upon entry or exit. Strong longshore currents also pose a threat, as they run parallel to the shoreline and can sweep individuals away from a designated swimming area or toward hazardous structures.
The severity of these conditions is often dictated by the wind direction and the distance the wind travels over open water, known as the “fetch.” Winds blowing from the water toward the land (onshore winds) over a long fetch can generate significantly larger waves. The statement may also cover structural currents, which form along piers or breakwalls, or outlet currents near river mouths, which can both sweep people into deeper water.
Necessary Safety Precautions and Response
When a Beach Hazard Statement is in effect, the primary recommendation is to remain out of the water entirely, as the conditions pose a severe risk to life. If you must be near the water, stay aware of your surroundings and never turn your back on the ocean. Beachgoers should always check the local flag warning system, which visually communicates the threat level, and only swim in areas supervised by lifeguards.
If a person unexpectedly finds themselves caught in a rip current, the most important action is to remain calm and avoid fighting the current by swimming directly toward the shore. Instead, conserve energy and swim parallel to the shoreline until you are able to move out of the narrow current channel. Once free of the current’s pull, you can then swim diagonally back toward the beach. If swimming parallel does not work, the advice is to simply float or tread water to conserve energy and wave for help.