HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a beach hazards statement, in effect from today, Friday, June 14, 2019, through Saturday morning.
Those hazards include high wave action, strong currents, and dangerous swimming conditions.
Strong structural currents as well as strong longshore currents mean rip currents are possible — and this may happen anywhere along the Lakeshore, from St. Joseph to Manistee.
Winds gusting to 25 mph or more are likely, and could cause waves as high as 7 feet, toward Little and Big Sable points.
High wave action makes swimming difficult and can quickly tire even a strong swimmer.
Structural currents form along piers, where longshore currents and wave action flow into the structure — and can sweep a swimmer into deeper water along the pier structure, or keep a swimmer from being able to keep their feet on the lake bottom, making it difficult to return to shore.
Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, and happen most often at low spots or breaks in sandbars. Rip currents can also tire out or sweep a swimmer into deeper water.
