Baldwin County monitoring the potential storm in the Gulf of Mexico

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WPMI) — Ian will be churning up gulf waters and potentially creating dangerous rip currents at our area beaches.

Beachgoers are enjoying the nice weather on the gulf coast but in the next few days, water rescue crews are asking folks to be on alert when going in the water.

“What we’re looking at is for potentially large surf later in the week, and with that becomes high rip currents risk. Do you know for the people here on vacation throughout this week we ask them when going to the beach be especially careful when doing so look for the beach warning flags that are being posted at all of the public beach access points along gulf place and if it looks really rough than just for your safety please don’t enter the water.”

Ed Dugan and his wife came down from Illinois for vacation. He says the waters are quiet right now but understands the dangers of rip currents when the winds get rough.

"I don't get into the water too much just up to my knees that's about it for me...I had a close friend that his wife got caught in a rip current in Africa, and he went to save her and he got her to a couple of other guys but then the current carried him out and killed him. So, I understand about rip currents and how tired you can get trying to fight them so," said Ed Dugan, a beachgoer.

Unaware of the possible storm in the Gulf of Mexico, before arriving...their plan? To ride out the potential tropical storm in their RV.

"I'm not really worried unless it gets to the point of evacuation," said Dugan.

Another beachgoer says he tried prepping for the potential storm but was unable to due to store shelves being cleaned out.

"It was the gas cans I was having trouble finding because one store was already sold out...I drove all the way to Foley to get some. When i went into the Walmart people were loading up with water, they still had plenty, but they were loading up," said Guy Caraway, a beachgoer.

Several grocery stores say they are seeing an influx of customers purchasing water and supplies but haven't experienced any shortages yet.