Red flags? 'People refuse to listen'

HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) - The signs are posted, but people ignore them. And there's nothing officials can do to stop swimmers from going into Lake Michigan even during red flag conditions.

Last weekend, 31 people were rescued from the water at Holland State Park after they were caught up in rip currents. All 31 ignored the red flag warnings.

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Both weekend days were much like this day -- green flags in the morning, yellow by noon and red flags by 2 p.m.

Conditions changed quickly as a wind from the north popped up suddenly. DNR officers at the Holland State Park, the US Coast Guard and the Ottawa County Marine Patrol set up manpower and first aid. On Saturday, they pulled 19 people out of the water, and another 12 on Sunday.

Everyone of them, officials told 24 Hour News 8, were in danger of drowning. The red flags were posted and authorities used bullhorns and loudspeakers to warn people who, in the words of one, "just refuse to listen."

There are only a few options available to park officials. They can close the beach -- and they have in extreme conditions -- but they can not legally force anyone out of the lake.