This summer, a tragic accident and multiple water rescues have taken place on the Cuyahoga River. Safety forces and various other organizations are, as a result, reiterating important water safety advice.
That advice includes:
Check river conditions before you go: This is the most consistent and urgent message. Authorities, including the Cuyahoga Falls and Kent fire department, explicitly warned that river levels were abnormally high and dangerous at the time of the fatal incident and subsequent rescues. They stressed that even if it looks calm from shore, the current can be swift and unpredictable, especially after heavy rains. Always use online river gauges (e.g., National Water Prediction Service/ NOAA) to check current water levels and flow. If the water looks too hazardous to swim or paddle, don’t enter it…