Walton County Drownings Raise Awareness About Beach Safety

There have been two drowning deaths in Walton County this week. The most recent was a thirteen year old girl swimming with her father in Miramar Beach.

The other was an 18 year old high school student swimming off the shores of Seaside. Both were swimming in red flag conditions.

Walton County officials are urging beachgoers to look to the flags before they enter the water.

Red flags mean conditions are highly dangerous and yellow flags can be deadly as well. Double red means the waters are closed.

On the beaches of Seagrove, one dad said the news of the recent drownings brings this extremely close to home.

As a red flag flies high over South Walton beaches on Friday, father, Steve Buero, said he's keeping a watchful eye on his children.

"Red Flag...I don't let them in. Especially because I have a 6 and a 3 year old," said Buero.

Buero says his heart hurts for any parent who has to bury a child.

"In light of the current situation, any given life is so precious and in any given moment you see what happens," said Buero.

"I just wish that people would understand that the water is a fun place but it's also dangerous in certain conditions and when we put the red flag up there, it's very dangerous," said Lt. Robert Gray of the Walton County Sheriff's Office.

Gray discussed the details of Thursday's drowning with a heavy heart.

13 year old Alexandra Powell, an Alachua County resident, was swimming with her father and another person in red flag conditions when they became distressed.

Two Deputies and a Good Samaritan got the three to shore, but despite deputies efforts, the child died later at sacred heart hospital.

"They're upset that they weren't able to save the 13 year old...the daughter...but they did what they can do. I'm just happy they we're in the area to help the two swimmers, also. But, ultimately, they're unhappy about losing the 13 year old," said Gray.

The Walton County Sheriff's Office also wants to recognize the Good Samaritan. His name is Taylor Ward of Destin. They say he was instrumental in retrieving the third person from the water Thursday evening.