MILWAUKEE — Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan urges anyone going on or near the water Monday to use extreme caution and be aware of the weather that will be affecting the area over the next few days.
The National Weather Service in Milwaukee issued a storm warning for southern Lake Michigan through midnight and a gale warning for the entire lake until Tuesday morning.
Winds are expected to gust to more than 60 mph across the lake, and waves are forecast to build to more than 20 feet in some areas.
These strong winds, high waves and mixed precipitation will create dangerous conditions for anyone on the water.
The risk is also high for those who venture out on the lakefront due wave action and the potential for coastal flooding in some areas.
This fall, the Coast Guard responded to multiple instances of people being swept off of waterfront structures, such as jetties or piers, during periods of large wave action all across Lake Michigan. Unfortunately, many of those cases resulted in fatalities.
“The forecasted conditions will result in dangerous conditions along Lake Michigan," said Cmdr. Leanne Lusk, chief of response at Sector Lake Michigan. "The Coast Guard urges mariners to monitor National Weather Service reports and take appropriate safety precautions for these conditions."
Any mariners who do encounter hazardous conditions or people in distress are requested to contact the Sector Lake Michigan Command Center at 414-747-7190, marine radio channel 16 or call 911.