OTTAWA COUNTY, Ohio (WJW) – With frigid temperatures settled in Northeast Ohio, Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Levorchick is reminding people that the ice is never safe.

“We do understand that people want to do ice activities, like ice fish, snowmobile across the ice.  We ask that they take into consideration the elements,” said Levorchick.

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Levorchick said temperatures above freezing mixed with strong southwest winds could create ice breakup and ice floes on Lake Erie.

“Always be aware of the conditions if they are going to go out there and make sure they have equipment for self rescue if need be,” said Levorchick.

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The reminder comes just over a year after the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Coast Guard and multiple agencies had to rescue 20 people stranded on an ice floe near Catawba Island.

Levorchik said his department hasn’t had to rescue anyone since.

“Use common sense. I’ve seen numerous times where there might be a break in the ice and people use planks to drive their ATVs across… the ice to go out ice fishing. Again, common sense,” said Levorchick.

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