Event narrative (NOAA)
A group of students from out of state were swimming in rough surf along an unguarded section of Pensacola Beach. Red flags, warning of dangerous rip currents, were flying at the time. The group were out in the water holding hands when a large wave broke the group apart. Two of the girls got in trouble in the rough water. Surfers were able to pull the two girls out of the water. Both were transported to the hospital. One of the girls died and the other was released after being kept overnight. The female that died didn't know how to swim.
Other notable rip current events in Florida
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.