After an August with mostly yellow flag days, red flags are flying across the island thanks to a weather system in the Gulf of Mexico. Though not named yet the storm would be the ninth of the season. It is expected to be a tropical storm before it reaches south Texas Tuesday or Wednesday.

On Monday morning, the Alert Baldwin daily beach flag warning arrived at 8:15 a.m. with a single red flag but was updated just 15 minutes later to let possible beachgoers know the purple flag is also flying. If you are scratching your head about what flag means what, we have got you covered.

The white sandy beaches and clear Gulf waters are one of the Alabama Gulf Coast’s greatest commodities. Unfortunately, those same waters claim an average of six lives each year.

Beach Warning Flags

Beach warning flags are posted at all public beach areas in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Gulf State Park. The water conditions are monitored throughout the day and the warning level can change. To stay updated on the beach flag warning, residents and guests can opt to receive text alerts daily by texting ALERTBALDWIN to 888777. When you leave the area, simply text STOP to end the daily alerts.

Know the flags:
Yellow Flag – Medium hazard with moderate surf and/or currents
Purple Flag – Marine pests are present.
Red Flag – High hazard with high surf and/or strong currents
Double Red Flag – Water is closed to the public. It is illegal to enter the Gulf of Mexico within the corporate limits of either Gulf Shores or Orange Beach when two red flags are displayed.

Rip Currents

The inviting Gulf Coast waters have hidden dangers that even the strongest and most experienced swimmers can’t overcome. Rip currents are a daily concern on the Gulf Coast.

How to spot a rip current:

• Rip currents are most prevalent when the waves crash perpendicular to the beach rather than at an angle.
• One of the easiest ways to spot a rip current is to look for gaps between the waves. A small patch of calm water surrounded by waves is often a rip current.
• Look for discolored water near the shore. Rip currents tend to drag large amounts of sand and sediment back out to sea with them, so many rip currents are easily identified by a noticeable flow of sand extending away from the shore.
• Rip currents are also common in areas near sand bars, piers, pilings and jetties.

How to escape a rip current:

• Remain calm. Fighting the rip current can exhaust you.
• Escape the current by swimming parallel to the shoreline. When free of the current, swim at an angle — away from the current — toward shore.
• If unable to escape by swimming, float or tread water. When the current weakens, swim at an angle away from the current toward the shore.
• If at any time you feel you will be unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself: face the shore, call or wave for help.
• To help someone else caught in a rip current, first call 9-1-1 for assistance, then seek help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not present, yell instructions on how to escape or throw the victim something that floats.

Ability

The water is inviting, the yellow flag is flying and you want to head into the water, but beach rescuers urge beachgoers to know their ability level.

“If you know you are a weak swimmer, use extreme caution. In open bodies of water, you have the current working against you, waves, topography of the bottom, and if you're not a strong swimmer the outcome can be deadly,”said Melvin Shepard, chief of staff for Gulf Shores Fire & Rescue.

Shepard also said that contrary to what many may think, most drownings occur on moderate days with waist high waves and longshore currents. He also explained that while many swimmers think using a flotation device in the open water is safe, it can actually pose an extreme danger.

Location

In total, Alabama has approximately 50 miles of Gulf Beach for beachgoers to enjoy but making sure the area you choose is safe is important. There are some areas people may be drawn to like the Perdido Pass in Orange Beach or Little Lagoon Pass in Gulf Shores, but visitors should be cautious.

"It is a popular area for residents to go, but the tides are strong going out, and there is a current going through a very narrow channel, which can be very dangerous," Shepard said. "You could be on a sandbar one minute and next thing you know the water is over your head."

Top six beach safety tips:

• Swim near a lifeguard.
• Know your limits.
• Understand how to spot and escape a rip current.
• Know the beach flag warning system and find the flag when you get to your location.
• Learn to swim.
• Wear a life jacket.

For more information on Alert Baldwin or the BEeach Safe campaign, visit www.gulfshores.com.