A warning urging beachgoers to stay out of the water at four Great Lakes has grown to include 11.1 million people on Thursday morning.
Why It Matters
The Great Lakes region is a major draw for summer recreation, including swimming and boating. However, the summer months also coincide with periods of increased risk from high waves and powerful currents.
So far this year, the region has reported 45 drownings, according to data from the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, underlining the real and persistent danger that comes with disregarding safety warnings along the lakes’ shores. Beach hazards statements aim to prevent further tragedy by alerting the public during periods when lake conditions are dangerous.
What To Know
The National Weather Service (NWS) published numerous beach hazards statements on Thursday, spanning counties that border the coastlines of Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Areas currently under active statements include:
- Ohio: Lucas, Ottawa, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake, and Ashtabula Lakeshore counties
- Pennsylvania: Northern Erie County
- Illinois: Lake, Northern Cook, and Central Cook counties
- Indiana: Lake and Porter counties
- Wisconsin: Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha counties
- Michigan: Mason, Oceana, Alpena, Alcona, Iosco, Huron, Sanilac and St. Clair counties
- New York: Chautauqua, Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, and Wayne counties.
Hazards reported included waves reaching up to 5 feet along parts of the Michigan shoreline, along with strong rip currents along Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio coasts.
The NWS in Milwaukee warned of “life threatening waves of 4 to 6 feet and dangerous currents” and cautioned the public to “stay out of the water and away from dangerous areas like piers and breakwalls.”…