POINT PLEASANT BEACH, N.J. — The National Weather Service says rip currents have killed several people along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts this year.
Officials say at least 40 people have drowned along U.S. beaches so far.
Florida leads the nation with the most deaths with 11 drownings, New Jersey and Texas had six and North Carolina had five.
Rip currents are the narrow bands generated by waves, wind and the ocean floor.
Experts recommend anyone caught in a rip current swim parallel to the shore.
Watch below an explainer on rip currents provided by the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Association.