A day at the (closed) beach

Earlier this week I was assigned to photograph the impact of Monday’s severe storms that swept though Chicago.

Because of heavy rains, sewage and storm water was forced into area waterways and out to Lake Michigan causing a swim ban to be issued at all of the beaches.

Normally the beaches this time of year have a plethora of visitors, so it was a bit eerie to see them uninhabited. I initially stopped at North Avenue beach because it was right nearby. After walking around for a bit I was coming up short, so I drove south to 63rd Street Beach.

I liked this scene from there of a lifeguard watching over the empty water. His arms tucked behind his head summed up the mood among his colleagues.