Rip Current — Berrien, Michigan

2011-08-28 · Berrien, Michigan

Event narrative

Broadcast media reported a 44 year old male from Wheeling, Illinois was having trouble swimming at the beach off of Hagar Township Park. A woman with the swimmer lost sight of him and began yelling for help. Four minutes later rescuers arrived. He was in the water for approximately 90 minutes before a Coast Guard helicopter crew was able to recover his body.

Wider weather episode

Three to six foot waves caused some rip currents to develop along the shores of southeastern Lake Michigan. A 44 year old man was swimming at a beach near Coloma, Michigan where he drowned after being pulled out by the rip current.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 338852. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.