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Every year thousands of people float down the St. Clair River for the "unsanctioned marine event" known as the Port Huron Float Down. Americans inadvertently float to Canada most years. It is happening this Sunday, amid a pandemic and border closure. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/08/14/thousands-of-americans-are-expected-to-float-down-the-st-clair-river-this-sunday-the-border-is-closed-the-current-is-strong-the-pandemic-persists-what-could-possibly-go-wrong.html
Canadians participate too. Sarnia Police said there are about 6000 people that float, fewer than 1000 are Canadian. It's 12 km route. River is closed to shipping. Every year, it's a huge undertaking for emergency responders to ensure safety and avoid international incidents.
In 2016, roughly 1500 U.S. citizens landed in Corunna and Sarnia, many without passports, some with hypothermia. It was a whole thing.
Everyone involved in this event is obsessed with the wind direction. A west wind is bad. That's what happened in 2016, along with a storm. Sarnia's mayor Mike Bradley knew they were in trouble that morning - the wind was just blowing right at Sarnia's waterfront.
This year, people weren't sure if it would happen. There are no organizers, but U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard know people will show up, and they don't want to mix freighter traffic with inflatable unicorn rafts, so they prepare. It requires all kinds of planning and resources.
This year, the pandemic has added all kinds of complications and risk to an already dangerous event, but officials expect the crowds to be there. RCMP is warning U.S. citizens who land in Canada of potential arrests, and everyone is just watching that wind.
