Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight will be well to the north, threatening the Carolinas. It is also expected to impact Florida beaches and cause coastal flooding in parts of the Sunshine State.

According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management Meteorology, a high risk of rip currents is forecast for the state’s east coast — from Nassau County to Palm Beach County — and dangerous boating conditions are expected due to high waves.

Beachgoers should be careful and, before entering the water, pay attention to the warning flags on the beach. These indicate possible hazards on the beach.

The increased surf combined with developing King Tides along East and South Florida could lead to minor or locally moderate coastal flooding.

Coastal flood warnings and statements are in effect:

Weather Alerts and Warnings for Florida

How to recognize a mouse and how to get out of it

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of water that move water away from the coast at speeds of up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) per second.

They occur on all surf beaches and usually form at breaks in sandbars and near piers and breakwaters.

Rip currents can pull even the best swimmers away from shore.

How to recognize a mouse:

• A narrow canyon with dark, seemingly calm water between the areas of breaking waves and the whitewater.

• A canal with swirling, turbulent water.

• A difference in watercolor color.

• A line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving toward the sea.

If you get caught in a rip:

• Don’t worry, rip currents won’t drag you down.

• Don’t swim against the current.

• You may be able to escape by swimming out of the current toward the shoreline or breaking waves and then diagonally toward the beach.

• You may be able to escape by floating or treading water as the current moves back toward shore.

• If you think you can’t reach the shore, draw attention to yourself. If you need help, shout and wave for help.

Florida Beach Flag Warning System

Florida has a uniform flag system that is mandatory on all public beaches in the state.

Florida beach warning flags come in four colors: red, yellow, green and purple.

• Double red flags: water closed to public

• Red Flag: High Danger – High waves and/or strong currents, including the possibility of rip currents

• Yellow Flag: Moderate Danger – moderate surf and/or strong currents, including the possibility of rip currents

• Green Flag: Calm conditions, use caution

• Purple flag: stinging sea creatures, such as man-of-war, jellyfish or stingrays

There are information boards along the beach explaining the meaning of each color.

What are King Tides?

According to NOAA, a King Tide is “a non-scientific term that people often use to describe exceptionally high tides. Tides are long-period waves that roll around the planet as the ocean is “pulled” back and forth by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun as these bodies interact with the Earth in their monthly and annual orbits. Higher than normal tides usually occur during a new or full moon and when the moon is at its perigee, or during specific seasons in the country.”

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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Possible Impacts of Tropical Cyclone 8 in Florida: Currents, Flooding