Hazardous Beach Alert

August 13, 2013

Beach goers should stay out of the water today due to dangerous conditions. The NWS in Chicago has issued a Hazardous Beach Statement, which remains in effect through late tonight. High wave action and dangerous swimming conditions, with strong rip currents, are expected along the Illinois Lake Michigan beaches. Dangerous pounding waves and life-threatening rip currents are expected and the NWS service is advising people visiting the beaches today to stay out of the water.Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, which occur most often at lows spots or breaks in sandbars. Rip currents can sweep you out away from shore into deeper water. Structural currents form along piers and break walls where long shore currents and wave action flow into the structure. These structural currents can sweep you out away from the shore along the pier structure.