Respect the waves of Lake Michigan!
The National Weather Service has issued a Beach Hazard warning until tomorrow for dangerous rip currents & the possibility of waves 6-9 FEET on Lake Michigan!
While there’s little danger of folks getting in trouble swimming on a day like today, this is an excellent time to remind you of the power of Lake Michigan waves. The Detroit Free Press shares that according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, more than 1,350 people have drowned in the Great Lakes over the last 15 years -That is half of all drownings in the Great Lakes & enough to make Lake Michigan the deadliest lake in the nation! What’s more, Lake Michigan’s west Michigan coastline has the most current related incidents of all of the Great Lakes, including rescues and fatalities. Also visit Michigan Sea Grant for information on water safety & breaking out of rip currents.
Mark took this shot of Star escaping a wave much smaller than the ones out there today back in 2019. See more of this adventurous gal in his Star gallery on Flickr!
PS: If you do get out today to Van’s Beach in Leland or Empire where this photo was taken, keep an eye out for surfers & kite boarders! You can check in on the weather with the Empire Chamber’s BeachCam or the Cove’s webcam in Leland’s Fishtown where I can see at least one kite boarder!
