United States Coast Guard (USCG) is warning people to be careful if they head out on the ice.
With temperatures wildly fluctuating this early February, ice conditions on the Great Lakes are unstable. These conditions resulted in the Coast Guard conducting two rescue operations Monday.
The first incident was off Sherwood Point, Wisconsin, where 11 people, five adults, and six children, were rescued after being stranded on an ice floe. The second incident happened not long after on Lake Huron, off Sebewaing, Michigan, about 160 kilometres northwest of Sarnia. Coast Guard crews from Station Saginaw River, Air Station Detroit, and Air Station Traverse City, worked together to safely transport 14 people to shore, with two needing medical treatment for hypothermia.
"The two large ice rescue cases highlight the unpredictability of the ice on the Great Lakes, especially with fluctuating temperatures," said USCG Captain Timothy Holt, the Chief of Incident Management for the USCG Ninth District. "We appreciate the swift response from all agencies involved and recovering everyone safely."
The Coast Guard says ice coverage is "historically low" due to ice conditions and the changing temperatures. To that end, the USCG has asked people who are headed out on the ice to take precautions.
Those going out on the water should dress appropriately for the weather, even if they aren't planning to enter the water. Cold air lowers body heat, but cold water lowers it much faster. Also, they should always make sure they have a VHF-FM radio or personal locater beacon, and tell someone where they are going, when they are expected back, and if plans or location change.