Indiana Shores Included In NWS Lake Michigan Swim Advisory

ACROSS INDIANA — Life-threatening waves and currents have caused the National Weather Service to issue a swim advisory for Lake Michigan that runs through Wednesday, including parts of Indiana.

Waves could reach as high as 8 feet, and water spouts and strong rip currents that could pull swimmers into deeper water are possible, the weather services warning states. According to the agency, rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, and they happen most often at low spots or breaks in sandbars.

Along with warning swimmers to keep out of the water, the weather service also is urging people to stay away from break walls and piers. Structural currents form along piers where longshore currents and wave action flow into the structure, and like rip currents, they can pull water into deeper water along the pier, the agency said.

The National Weather Service's advisory covers Chicago's lakefront, and the Lake Michigan shores along Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan.

The severe lake conditions have already been blamed in the deaths of three boys over the weekend. A 14-year-old was pulled from the water near Waukegan Municipal Beach on Friday in Illinois as he tried to swim across the channel. A Chicago 10-year-old and an Aurora, Ill. 14-year-old were pulled from the lake within an hour of each other Saturday at the beach at Indiana Dunes State Park.

More Patch Coverage:

• Infant Swim Instructor Teaches Little Ones To Save Themselves
• Stay Sober, Wear Life Jackets While Boating In Illinois

Go to the National Weather Service's website for more details about the swim advisory and hazardous lake conditions.

For those in Indiana, view safety measures and drowning prevention information via in.gov/dnr.

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