BENZIE COUNTY — Ice shelves forming along the Lake Michigan shoreline may look like a winter playground, but first responders warn they can be extremely dangerous.
Captain Chris Jeffries with the Manistee Fire Department says shelf ice is often unstable, with cracks and weak spots that can open without warning. In many cases, there may be open water hidden underneath the ice.
Experts say if someone falls through, cold water shock and hypothermia can set in within minutes, making these situations life-threatening.
First responders urge the public to stay off the shelf ice entirely. If you see someone fall through, officials say to call 911 immediately and avoid going out onto the ice yourself, as would-be rescuers can easily become victims too.