Coast Guard boats grounded
PORT HURON -- The impacts of Hurricane Sandy continue to be felt far away from the areas actually getting hurricane force winds.
One of those areas, Michigan's Lake Huron shoreline in the thumb region, where winds late Monday night and Tuesday are expected to gust over 60 MPH at times. Monday night, peak gusts on the lake were already recorded at 48 knots (or 52 MPH) by a coast guard buoy.
Just north of the Bluewater Bridge to Canada, people snapped quick photos of high seas before getting back into their warm cars escaping from the brutally cold wind.
The US Coast Guard station in Port Huron tells NBC25 that their 41 foot boats can't be used in waves of 15 to 18 feet already being seen on the open waters, and had to be moved into the garage because the normally still waters of the boat basin at the Coast Guard station were too choppy.
Some forecasts are calling for swells to 30 feet on the open water late Monday night and Tuesday.
The Coast Guard is warning anyone with a boat still in the water to secure it with double moorings, stay clear of beaches and above all, stay out of the water. Thrill seekers looking to surf the large waves face a high risk of dangerous rip currents.
They also advise people to strip their boats of any articles such as life jackets, life rings, or canopies, that may become loose during the storm.
