What the Mountain Brook and Birmingham Beach Catastrophes Can Teach Us
Last month in Panama City beach, three young men in their 20s from Birmingham, Alabama drowned in a rip current. Equally heartbreaking was the unprovoked shark attack on two teenage girls from Mountain Brook, a suburb of Birmingham. These tragedies could have gone unperturbed if only there were precautions beforehand. So, what can we learn from these incidents?
The Birmingham and Beach Connection
Historically, Birmingham shares a unique relationship with the beach towns of the Gulf of Mexico. According to historian Harvey H. Jackson III, this bond began after World War II when several beachside communities grew their prominence. He recounts that in Laguna Beach, so many cottages and vacation homes belonged to Alabamians, prompting one barkeeper to name his establishment the Little B’ham.
As for Robert Davis, a renowned architect and Birmingham native, cherished memories from his childhood spent wandering the beach influenced him to develop iconic coastal community areas like Seaside, alongside his wife in the early ’80s. Similarly, Birmingham is also the birthplace of the lush magazine Coastal Living, proof of this city’s reminiscence and adoration for coastal life.
The Need for Beach Safety Precautions
These deep connections explain why tragedies like the recent ones affect the people of Birmingham so deeply. As residents continue to frequent their cherished beach towns, the need for taking precautions cannot be overstated.
1. Awareness of Rip Currents
Rip currents pose significant dangers, being capable of pulling even strong swimmers off shore. This peril makes it imperative for visitors to check the National Weather Service for daily rip current warnings before heading out for a swim.
2. Plan for Non-Ocean Swimming Days
Unpredictable as coastal weather might be, it is essential for families to prepare for non-swimming days due to rip current, wildlife or heat warnings. Activities like picnics, bird watching, and shore games can replace the usual beach pastime.
3. Learn About Coastal Wildlife
Coastal wildlife is abundant and includes creatures from yellow flies, snakes, and alligators to stingrays, jellyfish, and sharks. It is crucial for beach-goers to be aware of their habitats, understand how to avoid encounters, and know what to do in case of any incidents.
Birmingham residents have formed a deep-rooted relationship with the coastal towns of the Gulf of Mexico. It’s time that this bond gets some grounding by infusing it with informed safety practices, making each beach visit risk-free and enjoyable.
About the Authors
Jennifer L. Greer is a freelance journalist and retired university instructor based in Birmingham. David Sher has played a significant role in developing ComebackTown and has chaired multiple business organizations within Birmingham.
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
