Hennepin County Sheriff warning people of thin ice this weekend
Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson is warning people to stay off the lakes and ponds this weekend.
According to Hutchinson, since the weather has been warm, the ice is too thin and the safety risks for citizens and first responders are high.
"I know we all have cabin fever in part because of COVID-19 restrictions, but the ice is unsafe," Hutchinson said. "The high temperatures today and Sunday will be right around freezing, but the lakes and ponds opened up earlier this week with the unseasonably warm weather. The ice is simply not thick enough or sturdy enough to support anyone."
The latest example of that occurred Friday when two siblings fell through the ice on a pond in Maple Grove.
One of the siblings was able to get out of the water and call for help but Maple Grove firefighters needed to pull the other out of waist-deep water. Medics transported the victim to Hennepin County Medical Center for possible hypothermia.
Person rescued after falling into pond in Maple Grove
It was the second weekend in a row someone fell through the ice in Maple Grove and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol assisted.
Here are some tips if people plan to go on the water:
- Tell people where you are going and never go on ice alone
- Wear a lifejacket
- Have a rope or throw bag available
- Wear and have ice picks ready for use
- Physically check the ice where you plan to skate with a chisel or drill
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol and the Department of Natural Resources recommend a minimum of 4 inches of ice before it is safe for people.
For additional tips and general ice thickness guidelines, please click here.