Rip Current — Porter, Indiana

2020-08-16 · Porter, Indiana

Wider weather episode

A group of 5 teens were swimming in Lake Michigan near Portage Riverwalk when waves pulled them under. A good Samaritan riding a jet ski helped pull two swimmers out. Two others managed to swim out of the currents. One of the swimmers pulled out of the water, an 18 year old male, was taken to a local hospital and died a few days later. The body of the 5th and missing swimmer, a 16 year old boy, was found the next day. Waves were around 4 feet.

In a separate incident, a 21 year old male was rescued off Portage Beach after being underwater for an extended period. He had gone missing while swimming in Lake Michigan. He was taken to a local hospital where he died a few hours later. Rescuers received many calls for swimmers struggling in Lake Michigan on August 16th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 915914. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.