Fatal Waters: Deadliest Beach in America

Florida’s Panama City Beach has recently been declared America’s riskiest beach after sadly becoming the last place three tourists would ever visit. They tragically lost their lives while swimming in the Gulf of Mexico last weekend.


The authorities reported three dreadful accidents on Saturday, all along Panama City Beach’s shoreline. However, the exact cause of these mishaps is still uncertain – did the victims succumb to drowning, or was there a sudden health emergency while enjoying their swim? Each vacationer was at different resort areas, per the Panama City News Herald.

In the past week and a half, this scenic beach has seen seven lives tragically cut short due to hazardous rip currents, making swimming perilous. Unfortunately, the fatalities here in 2023 have set a new record among all U.S. beaches, as per National Weather Service records.


Two other beachgoers met the same fate in the vicinity. One on Thursday at Blue Mountain Beach, and another over the weekend at Miramar Beach, marking the second incident at this beach this year, says the News Herald.

Rip currents, or strong currents of water that pull swimmers away from the shore, typically occur near breaks in sandbars and close to structures like piers and jetties. Despite the risk, their potential danger is often underestimated. They can overpower even the strongest swimmers, warns the National Weather Service.


Deaths from rip currents and other sea-related hazards have unfortunately risen nationwide, hitting a high of 113 fatalities in 2021. In contrast, 69 deaths were reported last year, and the U.S. has already mourned 60 surf zone deaths this year.

The three unfortunate tourists who passed away on Panama City Beach over the weekend were caught in rip currents, according to police reports. In two of these incidents, double red flags had been raised, a warning indicating that the gulf waters were off-limits to swimmers. Ignoring this could result in a hefty $500 fine, the News Herald warns.

Sadly, the victims were identified as Kimberly Moore, 39, from Lithonia, Georgia, Morytt Burden, 63, Lithia Springs, Georgia, and Donald Wixon, 68, Canton, Michigan.

Authorities reported that the sea conditions were extremely dangerous at the time, with double red flags as a stark reminder of the hazardous waters. They urged the public to respect the double red flag warnings, always mindful of the potential risks in such conditions.

In the past ten days alone, there have been 70 distressed swimmer reports, with 40 reported on Saturday. Authorities stressed the importance of the double red flag warning, reminding tourists, “When you see double red flags, the Gulf is off-limits.”