SEAN KRAJACIC, Lee Newspapers
Life rings were installed in 2018 along the north pier in the
Kenosha Harbor, one year before Racine got life rings along public
beaches.
Figuereo-Colon
Over Fatherâs Day weekend and into that following Monday, four youths were pulled from Lake Michigan and did not survive, three along Wisconsinâs southern shore in Racine and one on Indianaâs south shores in Michigan City.
Another was also pulled from the water along Michigan Cityâs beach that weekend and was last reported on life support.
The unpredictability of a powerful body of water like Lake Michigan â the deadliest of the Great Lakes â is what is blamed for these recent tragedies.
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Drownings are rare in Racine County. They are even rarer in public waters like Lake Michigan without a compounding factor, such as an unrelated medical event preceding a drowning.
Never in the past four years prior to last month has a drowning in Racine County been attributed to a rip current. But rip currents were a factor in all three deaths in June, according to the Racine County Medical Examinerâs Office.
Thatâs part of what made the three youths who died in unrelated drowning events last month so shocking.
Officials have said itâs practically impossible to be prepared for a rip current since they can seemingly come out of nowhere.
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Swimmers in southeast Wisconsin should stay out of Lake Michigan on Thursday and Friday because of dangerous conditions in the forecast, the National Weather Service said. Life-threatening waves of 3 to 6 feet, strong winds and dangerous currents are expected, the weather service said in a statement.
Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties have a high swim risk from Thursday afternoon through Friday evening. Stay out of the water and away from dangerous areas like piers and breakwalls, the weather service statement reads. Strong structural and longshore currents are expected. Rip currents are possible.
Beachgoers should obey posted signs and closures, the weather service said.