Full Notification

A beach hazard statement remains in effect for the Norton Shores beaches. The National Weather Service issued the following Beach Hazard Statement:

Issued by The National Weather Service

Grand Rapids, MI
Tue, Aug 11, 11:00 am EDT

... BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

* HIGH WAVE ACTION... STRONG CURRENTS AND DANGEROUS SWIMMING CONDITIONS EXPECTED.

* STRONG STRUCTURAL CURRENTS EXPECTED.

* STRONG LONGSHORE CURRENTS EXPECTED.
* RIP CURRENTS EXPECTED.

* LOCATION... BEACHES FROM ST. JOSEPH TO MANISTEE.
* BEACHES WITH PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS TODAY INCLUDE... NORTH BEACH IN SOUTH HAVEN... HOLLAND STATE PARK... MUSKEGON STATE PARK... MEARS STATE PARK IN PENTWATER... STEARNS PARK IN LUDINGTON.

* OVERVIEW/POTENTIAL IMPACTS... NORTHWEST WINDS OF 15 TO 30 KNOTS CAN BE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. WAVES WILL BUILD TO 3 TO 6 FEET. THE HIGHEST WAVES WILL BE SOUTH OF HOLLAND... THOUGH HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED EVERYWHERE. THE MOST HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS WILL BE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF PIERS AND BREAKWALLS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

HIGH WAVE ACTION MAKES SWIMMING DIFFICULT AND CAN TIRE EVEN A STRONG SWIMMER QUICKLY.

STRUCTURAL CURRENTS FORM ALONG PIERS WHERE LONGSHORE CURRENTS AND WAVE ACTION FLOW INTO THE STRUCTURE. STRUCTURAL CURRENTS CAN SWEEP YOU OUT INTO DEEPER WATER ALONG THE PIER STRUCTURE.
A LONGSHORE CURRENT IS A LAKE CURRENT THAT MOVES PARALLEL TO SHORE. LONGSHORE CURRENTS CAN BE STRONG ENOUGH TO PREVENT SWIMMERS FROM BEING ABLE TO KEEP THEIR FEET ON THE BOTTOM... MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO RETURN TO SHORE.

RIP CURRENTS ARE POWERFUL CHANNELS OF WATER FLOWING QUICKLY AWAY FROM SHORE... WHICH OCCUR MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPOTS OR BREAKS IN SANDBARS. RIP CURRENTS CAN SWEEP YOU INTO DEEPER WATER