Hurricane Lee's dangerous surf puts Florida beaches on shark alert, expert warns
FLORIDA - Hurricane Lee is expected to bring dangerous surf to Florida's coastline – and with that, comes the threat of sharks.
After two people were bitten by sharks within 24 hours at two Florida beaches this week, Gavin Naylor, director of the University of Florida's shark research program, told FOX 35 News that people should stay vigilant about sharks at the beach in the coming days.
Hurricane Lee, currently located about 430 miles south-southwest of Bermuda, could affect the current, which would in turn push fish closer to shore. That means sharks won't be too far behind, Naylor said.
2 surfers bitten by sharks at Central Florida beaches within 24 hours: 'I pushed my luck a little bit too far'
Two surfers in Central Florida were bitten by a shark in under 24 hours this week.
Bill Eveland was surfing Monday afternoon in Satellite Beach when he noticed pods of mullet swimming nearby. Even though his friends went back to shore, the surfer stayed out for one more set – and he was caught in the middle of a feeding frenzy and was bit in the back.
Eveland shared some advice for surfers and beachgoers who plan to hit the ocean this week and weekend.
"When those mullet pods are coming down the beach, your best bet is to get out and wait for them to pass and then you can get back out and catch some more waves," he said.
TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Lee bringing dangerous surf, rip currents to Florida beaches
Hurricane Lee could bring surf up to 7 to 8 feet at its peak along the Florida coast.
The FOX 35 Storm Team says beach conditions are expected to slowly improve by early next week.