High winds sweep 1,500 US river rafters to Canada

And it took hours for them to be deported back into the US

Pamela Wiley Wyatt‎/Facebook

About 1,500 Americans washed up on the shores of Canada, and not because they were migrating to the neighbour to the north out of fear of a Donald Trump presidency, but by pure accident.

The would-be invaders were participating in the annual Port Huron Float Down – an event where hundreds of Michigan residents drift along the US side of the St Clair River in Michigan on rafts, dinghies, and inner tubes.

However, heavy winds diverted the floaters, turning a once-innocuous float fest into an international incident as the 1,500 people drifted ashore in Sarnia, Ontario.

“They were pushed over pretty quickly, and because they had no control over these dinghies and the wind was basically directing them and the current, they ended up over here,” Sarnia Police constable John Sottosanti told CTV Network.

The Sarnia Police Service also said the event presented dangers given the large number of participants, the lack of life preservers, and challenging weather conditions.

Without much identification, the floaters were ill-prepared to be stranded outside of the US, and Canadian authorities said it took roughly six hours to transport them back to US Customs and Border Enforcement.

“It was a bit of a nightmare, but we got through it,” Sarnia Police Staff Sgt Scott Clarke said. “There were long waits and long lines. They were cold and wet, but they all made it home.”

The US Coast Guard saved about 40 people in the waters and assisted 125 others, the Times Herald reported. Although some people did experience hypothermia, emergency responders were able to attend to them.

For their part, the US Coast Guard has attempted to work with the city of Port Huron to make the Port Huron Float down a sanctioned event, however no organisers have risen to the occasion.

“There are still several details to work out,” Lt Ben Chamberlain said. “There would need to be an official event sponsor and as of yet no one has stepped up to do that and take on the responsibility of all of the safety issues.”

The Port Huron Float Down thanked Canadian authorities for their “assistance and understanding”.

“You’ve shown us true kindness and what it means to be amazing neighbours!” they wrote. “This is exactly why we stress the importance of paddles and oars, and not entering the water if you are incapable of maneuvering on your own.”

Despite the difficulties, they announced next year's event will commence 20 August.