While Hurricane Maria is not expected to have any direct impacts on Central Florida, many can expect dangerous rip currents and rough seas this weekend off Florida's east coast.

Hurricane season can be dangerous to baby sea turtles

Expert says harsh sea pushes turtles back on land

Nearly 1,500 turtles brought to Brevard County Zoo’s Sea Turtle Healing Center

How hurricanes are impacting these baby sea turtles this morning on @MyNews13. pic.twitter.com/8goXcB9EpB — Jerry Hume (@JerryHume) September 22, 2017

It is not only a concern for swimmers and surfers, but also for sea turtle experts.

The active hurricane season coincides when thousands of sea turtles hatch along Brevard County’s coastline. When hurricanes hit, those baby sea turtles do not always make it safely to the sea.

Hurricanes Irma and Jose over these past two weeks have led to an unprecedented rescue operation for wildlife experts.

Nearly 1,500 baby sea turtles, also called hatchlings, have been brought to the Brevard County Zoo’s Sea Turtle Healing Center.

They are preparing for more if Hurricane Maria creates rough conditions this weekend.

“During storm events if the waters out off shore become a little turned up, these hatchlings or wash backs actually get pushed back from the seas,” said Shanon Gann, a rehabilitation assistant with the Sea Turtle Healing Center. “So they’ve already made it out of their nests and they swim off shore and unfortunately the rough seas push them back into the sand.”

Many of the baby sea turtles have been returned to the ocean. Two hundred still remain at the Sea Turtle Healing Center.

Experts recommend if someone sees a hatchling making its way to the water, let it be.

However, if the turtle looks to be in distress, drop off locations have been set up at the Sea Turtle Preservation Society’s office at 111 S Miramar Ave. in Indialantic, or at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach.

If someone find a distressed turtle, call the Sea Turtle Preservation Hotline at 321-206-0646.