Rip Current in Michigan

Events

45

Deaths

43

Injuries

30

Damage

None recorded

• Rip Currents in Michigan, August 5, 20104 deaths · 2 eventsHigh waves and rip currents led to the drownings of two swimmers near Presque Isle in Marquette and two swimmers in Grand Marais on the afternoon of the 5th.
• Rip Current in Michigan, July 30, 20203 deaths · 5 injured · 1 eventDangerous swim conditions developed in the wake of a cold front that swept across the Great Lakes. Three lives were lost due to rip currents, with 6 injuries recorded from either rescues of other swimmers or injuries of first responders.
• Rip Currents in Michigan, July 13, 20223 deaths · 3 eventsThere were three fatalities which occurred on July 13th as a result of rip currents.
• Rip Currents in Michigan, August 5, 20122 deaths · 2 eventsStrong north to northwest winds across Lake Michigan caused wave heights in excess of 8 feet along the south-eastern parts of the lake shore. Local and Coast Guard officials reported two rip current drownings. The first occurred at Tiscornia Beach in St.
• Rip Current in Michigan, August 15, 20092 deaths · 1 eventOnshore winds and significant wave action resulted in rip currents on far northern Lake Michigan beaches.
• Rip Current in Michigan, August 8, 20222 deaths · 1 eventTwo people drowned in South Haven as a result of rip currents and high waves during the early afternoon hours of August 8th.
• Rip Current in Michigan, July 4, 20061 death · 4 injured · 1 eventA favorable onshore flow across southeastern Lake Michigan, resulted in waves ranging from 2 to as much as 6 feet at times. This allowed for several occurrances of rip currents along the shores adjacent to Berrien County.
• Rip Current in Michigan, September 3, 20101 death · 4 injured · 1 eventStrong northwest winds created dangerous conditions on far southeastern Lake Michigan. Waves as high as 16 feet caused extremely strong rip currents, one of which resulted in the drowning of a 26 year old man from Chicago. Four rescuers were also injured.
• Rip Current in Michigan, July 1, 20011 death · 1 event13 year old girl drowned at Warren Dunes State Park. Police and park rangers believe girlwas caught in rip current near shore.
• Rip Current in Michigan, August 17, 20011 death · 1 eventA 17-year old male drowned while swimming in Lake Michigan at Warren Dunes State Park. Officials at the scene said that wave heights were up to six feet. A rip current apparently pulled him underwater.
• Rip Current in Michigan, August 27, 20051 death · 1 eventCoast Guard officials received a report of a 20 year old male caught in a rip current 100 yards off shore from Warren Dunes State Park, near Sawyer. The person was removed from the water and was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
• Rip Current in Michigan, July 11, 20071 death · 1 eventGusty onshore winds contributed to rip current development on Lake Michigan beaches of Northwest Lower Michigan.
• Rip Current in Michigan, August 10, 20081 death · 1 eventA Negaunee man drowned while swimming near Picnic Rocks in Marquette at 4:34 pm on the 10th. A longshore current developing between the shore and rocks was believed to be a contributing factor in the drowning.
• Rip Current in Michigan, July 26, 20091 death · 1 eventA west to northwest wind of 10 to 15 knots stirred up waves along the southeast shore of Lake Michigan, resulting in favorable conditions for rip currents to develop. A 57 year old man drowned as a result of being caught in a rip current at the Warren Dunes State park.
• Rip Current in Michigan, August 16, 20101 death · 1 eventA strong pressure gradient developed across the Great Lakes, causing strong northwesterly winds and an increased risk of rip currents across far southeastern Lake Michigan.
• Rip Current in Michigan, July 25, 20101 death · 1 eventStrong onshore winds created dangerous wave conditions along the far southeastern shores of Lake Michigan. A 26 year old man drowned after being swept out by a rip current near Silver Beach.
• Rip Current in Michigan, August 27, 20101 death · 1 eventAn 18-year old Northern Michigan University student drowned at Picnic Rocks in Marquette on the evening of the 27th. South winds gusting over 20 mph produced a strong longshore current which contributed to the drowning death.
• Rip Current in Michigan, July 21, 20101 death · 1 eventA 62-year-old Wisconsin man drowned near Picnic Rocks in Marquette on the afternoon of the 21st. North wind gusts of 10 to 20 mph enhanced the waves and a longshore current which led to the drowning.
• Rip Current in Michigan, May 22, 20111 death · 1 eventA 19 year old swimmer walked to the end of the pier and jumped into the water where increasingly higher waves were observed. A combination of the strong current along the pier, increasing waves and 60 degree water all combined to cause problems for the novice swimmer.
• Rip Current in Michigan, September 4, 20111 death · 1 eventHigh waves on southeastern Lake Michigan cause rough conditions along the lake shore areas, where rip currents were common. One rip current at New Buffalo Public beach contributed to the death of 25 year old, plus minor injuries to a lifeguard.
• Rip Current in Michigan, August 28, 20111 death · 1 eventThree 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.
• Rip Current in Michigan, July 21, 20121 death · 1 eventWest winds gusting to 20 mph produced considerable wave action on Northern Lake Michigan, and provided a favorable environment for rip currents.
• Rip Current in Michigan, August 30, 20121 death · 1 eventSouthwest winds of 20 to 30 mph producing significant wave action and strong currents along the Lake Michigan coast.
• Rip Current in Michigan, August 4, 20121 death · 1 eventWave action produced by onshore winds of 15 to 20 mph contributed to rip current development on Lake Michigan.
• Rip Current in Michigan, June 19, 20121 death · 1 eventSoutherly winds created two to four foot waves along the lake-shore areas of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. A 26 year old male jumped off the south pier at Silver Beach into Lake Michigan.

Rip Current everywhereEvery kind of event in Michigan

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.