Alert to 13 million people along the coast: “Stay out of the water”

Beach-goers along parts of the United States coastline have been warned to “stay out of the water” due to dangerous conditions on some of the nation’s most popular vacation areas.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a series of beach hazard statements covering an estimated 13 million people. Here’s a look at some of the affected areas...

Dangerous conditions hit Great Lakes

More than 270,000 people are in areas affected by dangerous swimming conditions in the Great Lakes, with high waves activity and strong rip currents in the region.

Already this year the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project has reported 38 Great Lakes drownings, most of which have happened at Lake Michigan. Beach hazard warnings are in place at Lake Superior shorelines across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

“Current related fatalities and rescues in the past have occurred due to similar wave conditions at locations listed below,” reads a message from NWS Marquette. “For Marquette County: Middle Bay north of Presque Isle and at Little Presque Isle. For Alger County: The Au Train River mouth at Au Train, the exposed regions of Grand Marais Harbor, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.”

Coastal areas get hazard statements

Newsweek reports that more than 13 million people are covered by a series of weather warnings as coastal areas face huge waves and dangerous currents. The states worst-affected are Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and New York. However there are stretches of the North Carolina and South Carolina coastline that are also affected by the advisories.

With the peak vacation season now in full swing, there is concern that beach-goers will be less cautious about heading into the water. This often means that swimmers will be less aware of the dangers on a specific beach and the combination of high waves and strong currents can be deadly.

Officials in the Midwest, Northeast and Eastern Seaboard advise extreme caution when entering the sea over the coming days. Always consult with a localized weather and wave report before heading to the beach and be sure to follow any guidance from lifeguards and shoreline flags, when available.

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