Law enforcement officials: stay away from Lake Michigan due to high winds

Officials issue warning due to high winds along Lake Michigan

MILWAUKEE -- As post-tropical Sandy churns away on the east coast after making landfall Monday, October 29th, forecasters say the storm will be felt in Wisconsin in the coming days. Dangerously high waves are expected near Lake Michigan, fueled by high winds. On Monday, law enforcement officials warned those who might think the high waves are fun to say home!

Kite boarders enjoyed a choppy Lake Michigan Monday afternoon, but law enforcement officials on the shore said they don't want to see people braving the waves Tuesday -- calling it too dangerous.

Stafford Kramer and Joey Theis were pumped up for some kite boarding Monday afternoon.

"This is good wind for us. More is always better. There can be too much, but 20-30 miles-per-hour is great!" Kramer said.

Meanwhile, authorities warned Kramer, Theis and others to fly high while they can. They say Monday night and Tuesday, the waves may be too risky for anyone to be on or near the water.

"These are lake conditions we have not seen here for many years. It really is shaping up to be a dangerous weather event," Milwaukee Fire Department Battalion Chief Terry Lintonen said.

Milwaukee police plan to work with Sheriff's deputies to shut down lakefront parking and close off access to break walls. The goal is to deter people from getting too close to the water.

"Just stay home and watch it on TV," Toby Golembiewski with the Milwaukee Police Department Marine Operations Unit said.

Officials from three different agencies said Monday those who don't heed the warnings and do brave the waves may not be able to be rescued if they get themselves into trouble.

"If we get into six to eight foot waves out there, it's dangerous for our personnel," Lintonen said.

"We are very limited in our resources where we can rescue you if something were to happen to you," Golembiewski said.

"Once it gets beyond 15-foot waves, we really get pushed on our resources and what we can go out and save people with," Lt. Brian Dykens with the U.S. Coast Guard said.

Kramer and Theis said they're not planning to hit the water on Tuesday.

"If anything would happen and we break gear and get blown out into the middle of the lake and perish -- tomorrow is not the day to ride out here," Kramer said.

CLICK HERE for additional Sandy coverage via FOX6Now.com.