CLEVELAND (WJW) – Rip current warning signs were posted at Edgewater Beach on Wednesday as rough conditions continued across Lake Erie.
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a reminder about the dangers of rip currents, which are powerful channels of water that pull swimmers away from shore.
“A lot of people struggle and try to swim back to shore,” said Petty Officer Kathan Fleming. “The biggest advice we can give is: if you get caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore to escape it.”
The warning came the same day the bodies of 22-year-old Austin Labbe and 19-year-old Trent Sanchez were recovered. The brothers went missing Sunday night after being swept away by a rip current at Huntington Beach.
Fleming said signs of a rip current include breaks in the waves and darker patches of water. While rip currents won’t pull swimmers under, they can quickly carry people far from shore.
“The best thing to do is stay calm and swim with the current,” Fleming said.
Fleming also said rip currents are more frequent in the warmer months and urged people to check conditions before getting in the water.
“I highly recommend staying out of the water if you see choppy conditions or advisories from news outlets,” said Fleming. “It’s always best to wait for a calmer day.”
The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazard statement, warning swimmers about dangerous rip currents on Lake Erie this week.
The warning was issued for Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Lake, Lorain and Ottawa counties, from Wednesday evening through Thursday evening.
Melissa Reid
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