A day at the shore turned tragic off Ormond Beach when a 19-year-old man from Winter Garden drowned over the weekend, prompting Volusia County officials to urge extra caution in the surf. Authorities have not released many details about who he was or exactly how the incident unfolded.
What officials reported
According to FOX 35 Orlando, county beach-safety leaders responded by warning beachgoers to be especially careful along the coast. The station reported that the drowning triggered renewed reminders about red-flag conditions and the importance of staying within staffed rescue zones.
Rip-current danger
Around the same time, the National Weather Service had a rip-current statement in effect for Coastal Volusia, warning that powerful rip currents can pull even strong swimmers away from shore. The agency advises swimmers to float to rest, then try to swim parallel to the beach to escape the current rather than fighting directly back toward land. For active statements and coastal forecasts, check the National Weather Service.
Local beach safety numbers and staffing context
Volusia County’s daily beach report listed one drowning and 41 rescues in 2026 as of March 16, 2026, pointing to a busy early season for ocean saves. The county’s Beach Safety division urges visitors to swim only in front of staffed towers and to use the Volusia Beaches mobile app for up-to-date flag conditions and tower locations. Details are posted on the Volusia County Beach Safety page.
Local reporting has highlighted lifeguard staffing as an ongoing concern for the county. The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that Volusia recorded nine beach drownings in 2024 and has been working to boost lifeguard pay and recruitment in response to those totals. That broader context is outlined in Daytona Beach News-Journal coverage.
How to stay safe
If you are caught in a rip current, the National Weather Service stresses three key steps: stay calm, float to conserve energy, and then try to swim parallel to the shoreline until you are out of the pull. Beach officials also repeat the basic rule that saves the most lives: swim near an occupied lifeguard tower and follow the posted flag warnings every time you head into the surf.
Where to get updates
Volusia County shares daily flag colors, tower locations, and rescue statistics on its Beach Safety webpages and the Volusia Beaches app, along with contact information and visitor updates. If you see someone in trouble in the water, officials say to call 911 and alert trained lifeguards or first responders rather than attempting a risky, untrained rescue yourself.
