The Coast Guard's Air Station Detroit helicopter crew assisted on an ice rescue call Tuesday afternoon in Lake Erie, near Catawba Island State Park in Ottawa County, Ohio. A total of four people were found to be stranded on an ice floe after the emergency call was made about 4:30 p.

Strong winds create dangerous conditions, prompting rescue mission by U.S. Coast Guard and local fire department.

OTTAWA COUNTY, Ohio — The Coast Guard, in conjunction with Catawba Island first responders, rescued four ice fishermen who were stranded on an ice floe in Lake Erie Tuesday afternoon off of Catawba Island in Ottawa County.

The U.S. Coast Guard 9th District was called to rescue at least four people trapped on the ice on Lake Erie on Tuesday afternoon.

Now, after temperatures plummeted below zero, Lake Erie is about 60% frozen. That’s about 20% more ice than average for this time of year. Lake Erie is shallower and narrower than other Great Lakes, so it freezes faster.