SC state parks to use flags to warn swimmers

BEAUFORT, S.C. — (AP) South Carolina's state parks are adopting a flag system for its beaches so swimmers will know about water conditions.

State Parks Director Phil Gaines told The Beaufort Gazette that the flags should start flying by April when the weather warms and will be used until October.

Employees will fly a green flag when there are few problems, with yellow and red flags showing increasing danger. Two red flags will fly when it is unsafe to swim at all and a purple flag will flay when dangerous marine life is around. Gaines says the exact requirements for the flags are being written.

Similar flag systems are already in place in several beaches across the state.

WSOC