What Is a Red Flag Warning in Florida?

The state of Florida has two very different red flag warnings. The Florida Department of Forestry uses red flag warnings to alert emergency response and land management personnel to a heightened risk of wildfires. That system is similar to the National Weather Service's Fire Weather Watch. On the beaches, however, red flags are part of a statewide uniform beach safety flag system that is meant to alert beach goers to dangerous surf and water conditions.

Function

• Florida uses a system of colored flags to warn swimmers, surfers and other beach users of dangerous water and surf conditions. Local coastal management officials fly a red flag on the beach to let people know that it's dangerous to go in the water because of high surf and/or strong currents. If the beach is closed to the public, officials fly two red flags, one above the other. The bottom red flag is printed with a white "no swimming" symbol consisting of a crossed circle over a stylized swimmer.

History

• According to the Department of Environmental Protection website, the many different systems of flag warnings in use in various coastal communities could be confusing to people who traveled to different beaches. In 2002, the Florida state legislature passed an amendment to the Florida Coastal Management Act of 1970. Among other things, the amendment appointed the DEP to develop and implement a standardized system of warning flags for public beaches with lifeguards. In 2005, the Coastal Management Act was amended again to expand the flag program to any public beach that displays warning flags. As of that date, any public beach that displays warning flags must use flags that conform to the uniform flag system. Florida Governor Jeb Bush signed the Act was signed into law on June 8, 2005.

Types

• The flag warning system consists of five colored flags. In addition to the two red flags, the set includes one flag each in green, yellow and purple. A green flag means low hazard conditions with calm waters, but swimmers should exercise caution. A yellow flag is medium hazard and warns of moderate surf and/or currents. A purple flag warns of dangerous marine life.

Distribution

• The 2005 law provides that any local government that provides public beach access can order sets of beach warning flags and signs that explain their meanings from the DEP free of charge as long so there are funds in the program to provide them. Towns can order as many sets of flags and signs as needed to post them at each public beach access point.

Specifications

• According to the specifications developed by the DEP, each flag must be 29.25 inches high by 39 inches wide (700 mm by 1,000 mm). The specifications also name the Pantone dye for each color and specify the material from which the flags must be made.

Forestry Department Red Flag Alert

• The National Weather System issues Red Flag Warnings when weather conditions make wildfires likely. The Florida Division of Forestry is the only state agency that goes beyond the NWS Fire Weather Watch/Red Flag Warning with its own Red Flag Alerts. The DOF issues a Red Flag Alert when weather conditions, including low humidity, available fire resources and the natural moisture of vegetation combine to create a strong potential for wildfires.