Amid a Tropical Storm Watch issued for southeast Texas, local officials have issued a Red Flag Warning on Galveston Island. Presently, the area is expected to receive heavy rainfall, rip current, and high surf.
The red flag is a part of a larger flag system that area officials use to convey different information about beach conditions. But what do the different colors of the beach flags represent? Continue reading to find out more about the flag system and what each color signifies.
Green Flag
The first three colors of the flag system: green, yellow, and red, are largely intuitive. If you see a green flag waving on a beach, it’s a good sign. This means that beach conditions are calm wherein ocean-goers are advised to swim with care.
Yellow Flag
A yellow flag flying at the beach means that swimmers are advised to exercise more caution when entering the water. This represents that conditions are calm, though there may be a moderate surf and/or currents. The flag is there to remind swimmers to stay alert.
Red Flag
A red beach flag in Texas means conditions are out of the ordinary. Strong winds, current, and high surf are apparent. According to Galveston Island Beach Patrol, the flags do not necessarily mean that the beach is off limits, but that adult swimmers ought not wade beyond waist-deep water. Children and non-swimmers are advised to stay along the surf line.
Purple
A purple beach flag is issued on beaches when there is a potential issue with marine life. When you see a purple flag on the beach, signifies the presence of jellyfish, stingrays, Portuguese man-o-wars, or other potential marine life that could be a danger to swimmers. Purple flags are often used in combination with other flags.
Orange
Orange flags as beaches represent an environmental warning. This could mean a problem with either air or water quality.
If visiting Texas beaches this season, and you see any flag that isn’t green, be sure to ask a lifeguard or park representative for more details.