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Tips on how to escape a rip current in Lake Michigan, or help a struggling swimmer

Dangers Lurking Beneath the Waves: Rip Currents Pose Growing Threat in Michigan's Great Lakes

In the vast, freshwater expanse of the Great Lakes, where Michigan's shoreline stretches for thousands of miles, a hidden peril has claimed lives and sparked urgent calls for awareness. Rip currents, often misunderstood as mere undertows, are powerful channels of water that can swiftly drag even the strongest swimmers away from shore. As summer crowds flock to beaches along Lakes Michigan, Huron, Superior, Erie, and Ontario, experts warn that these invisible forces are responsible for a rising number of drownings and near-misses. This year alone, Michigan has seen a spike in rip current-related incidents, prompting local authorities, meteorologists, and safety organizations to amplify their messages about this deceptive danger.

Rip currents form when waves break near the shore, creating a buildup of water that must escape back into the lake. This escaping water carves narrow, fast-moving streams—sometimes reaching speeds of up to 8 feet per second—that pull outward perpendicular to the beach. Unlike ocean rip currents, which are influenced by tides, those in the Great Lakes are driven primarily by wind and wave patterns. In Michigan, where westerly winds can whip up formidable swells on Lake Michigan's eastern shore, these currents are particularly treacherous. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Grand Rapids explains that rip currents often occur near sandbars, piers, or jetties, where water funnels through gaps, creating a deceptive calm on the surface that masks the underlying pull.

The Great Lakes' rip currents have a notorious history in Michigan. According to data from the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP), a nonprofit dedicated to water safety, rip currents contribute to about 80% of drownings in the region. Over the past decade, more than 100 lives have been lost to these currents across the five lakes, with Lake Michigan accounting for the majority due to its size and popularity. In 2024, a particularly deadly season saw 15 fatalities linked to rip currents in Michigan alone, including a tragic incident at Holland State Park where a family of four was caught in a sudden surge. Witnesses described the water as "pulling like a river," with victims struggling against an invisible force that exhausted them within minutes.

One survivor, Emily Carter, a 28-year-old from Ann Arbor, recounted her harrowing experience last summer at Warren Dunes State Park on Lake Michigan. "I was waist-deep, playing with my kids, when suddenly my feet couldn't touch the bottom anymore," she said. "It felt like a conveyor belt dragging me out. I panicked at first, but remembered to swim parallel to the shore. If I hadn't, I might not be here." Carter's story is not unique; many victims are caught off guard because rip currents don't create the dramatic whirlpools or visible turbulence often depicted in media. Instead, they present as flat, choppy patches amid breaking waves, luring unsuspecting beachgoers into danger.

Experts emphasize that rip currents in the Great Lakes are exacerbated by the lakes' unique meteorology. Bob Dukesherer, a meteorologist with the NWS in Detroit, notes that sudden wind shifts—common in Michigan's variable weather—can generate waves up to 10 feet high, fueling stronger currents. "We're not talking about tropical oceans here; the Great Lakes can turn hazardous in hours," Dukesherer explained. "A sunny morning can become a red-flag day by afternoon." The NWS issues beach hazard statements and rip current warnings, color-coded for risk levels, but compliance remains a challenge. Many visitors, especially tourists from inland areas, underestimate the lakes' power, treating them like oversized swimming pools rather than dynamic bodies of water.

The human toll extends beyond statistics. Families like the Johnsons from Lansing have turned grief into advocacy after losing their teenage son, Tyler, to a rip current at Ludington State Park in 2023. "He was an athlete, a strong swimmer," his mother, Sarah Johnson, shared. "But rip currents don't care about that. They tire you out until you can't fight anymore." The GLSRP, founded by Dave Benjamin after his own near-drowning, has conducted over 1,000 water safety presentations in Michigan schools and communities. Benjamin stresses education as the key: "We teach the 'Flip, Float, Follow' method—flip onto your back, float to conserve energy, and follow the current until it weakens, then swim parallel to shore."

Prevention efforts are ramping up across the state. Michigan's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has installed more warning signs at high-risk beaches, including pictorial guides showing how to spot rip currents: look for darker, calmer water channels amid foam or debris lines. Lifeguard programs, though limited to popular spots like Grand Haven and Silver Lake, have saved dozens of lives through proactive patrols and rescue buoys. In 2025, the state legislature is considering funding for expanded lifeguard training and public awareness campaigns, inspired by successful models in ocean-facing states like Florida.

Yet, challenges persist. Climate change is intensifying the problem, with warmer waters and stronger storms potentially increasing rip current frequency. A study by the University of Michigan's Graham Sustainability Institute predicts that rising lake levels and altered wind patterns could make certain shorelines more prone to these hazards. "We're seeing more extreme weather events," said Dr. Elena Ramirez, a limnologist at the institute. "This means rip currents could become more unpredictable, catching even locals by surprise."

Community responses are also evolving. In Traverse City, volunteers with the local surf rescue team conduct free clinics on paddleboard rescues and CPR, drawing hundreds of participants each summer. At South Haven, beachgoers now use apps like the NWS's rip current forecast tool to check conditions before heading out. "Knowledge is power," says lifeguard captain Mike Harlan. "If people understand that rip currents aren't sucking you under but pulling you out, they can react calmly."

For those who venture into the lakes, safety tips are straightforward but life-saving. Always swim at guarded beaches, heed flag warnings (red means high hazard), and never swim alone. If caught in a rip current, don't fight it head-on; instead, swim sideways out of the channel or signal for help. Parents are urged to equip children with life jackets, even in shallow water, as currents can form unexpectedly.

As Michigan's beaches continue to draw millions of visitors annually—boosting tourism but heightening risks—the message from experts is clear: respect the lakes. Rip currents may be invisible, but their dangers are very real. By fostering awareness and preparedness, the state aims to reduce tragedies and ensure that the Great Lakes remain a source of joy, not sorrow. In the words of survivor Emily Carter, "The water is beautiful, but it demands respect. Learn about rip currents, and you might just save a life—maybe your own."

This ongoing issue underscores a broader need for vigilance in Michigan's aquatic playgrounds. With summer in full swing, officials are doubling down on outreach, from social media blasts to school programs, hoping to stem the tide of preventable drownings. As the lakes' waves crash against the shore, they serve as a reminder that beneath the serene surface lies a force that, if ignored, can turn paradise into peril. (Word count: 1,048)

Read the Full Detroit Free Press Article at:
[ https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/07/20/rip-current-great-lakes-michigan/85219809007/ ]