Avoid Jordan Lake in wake of hazardous conditions after Chantal, sheriff says
After several drownings and other hazards following Tropical Depression Chantal, officials warned the public Thursday to avoid Jordan Lake for the foreseeable future.
Flooding from the storm caused the lake to be higher than usual, leading to “strong currents, unpredictable depths, and dangerous floating debris,” the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Four people have drowned at the lake since mid-June:
- A 19-year-old man whose name was not released.
- Nestor Margarito Ramirez Menjivar, 21, of Fayetteville.
- Daniel Garcia Garcia, 25, and Manuel Mauro Sifuentes Soto, 36, both of Durham, who drowned while boating during the storm.
“This summer has been especially tragic on Jordan Lake,” Sheriff Mike Roberson said in the release. “These are painful reminders that conditions on the water can turn deadly in an instant.”
Most-visited NC state park
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is the most-visited state park in North Carolina, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. It had over 2.5 million visitors in 2023, about 500,000 more than the year before, according to the division’s website.
The Sheriff’s Office shared several safety recommendations:
- Do not enter Jordan Lake.
- Wear a properly fitted life jacket when you are in or near water.
- Swim only in designated swimming areas where life jacket loaner stations are available.
- Look out for “floating debris, submerged hazards, and swift currents,” which can be fatal.
Officials will announce when the lake is safe to visit again.
