Shoreline Defender

An attempt to reopen the Backstreet Boy vs. Walton County Sheriff's Office case failed on Monday.

A circuit judge dismissed the case with prejudice in late February.

Link in comments.

It’s starting to smell. 👇

Check them flags before you dive in
Red in the wind means danger within
But even if double red ain’t flown yet
Rip currents still roll… don’t forget

If you’re too tired, float on your back
Wave your arms high so help’s on track
Lifeguards watchin’, but the ocean’s wild
It don’t care if you’re grown or child
Storm swell comin’ from miles away
Rips can hit on a sunny day
Know the signs, keep your head cool
Again… this ain’t a swimming pool

Don’t fight the rip, slide out the side
Move with the ocean, don’t fight the tide
Float and wave if you can’t break through
Help will come lookin’ for you
Respect the coast, every tide, every wave
Know the move that could save your day
Ocean beautiful, ocean strong
Stay sharp out there all day long

🚩🚩

DOUBLE RED Flags are Flying in Panama City Beach. The water is CLOSED to the public.

They are not golf carts.

Today, Walton County passed a resolution reaffirming its support for public beach use and public beach access while also specifically recognizing Dune Allen Beach Inc. for its willingness to continue sharing the beach with both locals and visitors.

The resolution acknowledges something everyone already knows: years of lawsuits, customary use battles, quiet title disputes, and conflicts between visitors, property owners, vendors, and the County have created major hostility surrounding Walton County’s beaches.

But despite all of that, the County still officially stated that beach access and shared use remain important to this community and to the local economy built around our beaches.

One of the most notable parts of the resolution was the County specifically naming and recognizing Dune Allen Beach Inc. for “graciously” allowing shared beach use instead of choosing conflict.

This resolution does not settle ownership disputes or restore customary use rights, but it is still a very public statement from the County supporting beach access, shared use, and cooperation instead of division.

We just moved through another neap tide cycle, which is when the difference between high and low tide is smaller and Gulf conditions tend to be more moderate and stable. As we head toward the first of June, those tidal swings will begin increasing along the beaches of Walton County, Florida.

High tides will start pushing farther up the beach, while low tides will recede even farther out, creating more noticeable changes in the shoreline throughout the day. These larger tidal swings can also influence currents and water movement along the beach, especially around sandbars and cuts, so it’s always important to stay aware of changing surf conditions and potential rip currents.

It’s a good reminder of how dynamic our coastline really is from day to day.

Want to track tide cycles in your area? Check out the Shoreline Defender app. We’re now statewide across Florida, helping people stay informed about tides, shoreline conditions, and beach access.

We just moved through another neap tide cycle, which is the period when the difference between high and low tide is smaller and the Gulf tends to stay more moderate and stable. As we head toward the first of June, that will begin to change along the beaches of Walton County, Florida.

The high tides will start pushing farther up the beach, while the low tides will recede even farther out, creating wider swings in the shoreline throughout the day.

It’s one of the more noticeable tide transitions of the season and a reminder of how much our beaches naturally change from day to day.

Want to track tide cycles in your area? Check out the Shoreline Defender app. We’re now statewide across Florida, helping people stay informed about tides, shoreline conditions, and beach access.