Nicole Hayden

Times Herald

This story has been updated. Read the latest: http://on.freep.com/2bJwWbF

The annual Port Huron Float Down didn’t go as smoothly as participants were hoping Sunday.

Amid the festivities high winds and rain drove floaters off course and hundreds landed in Canada while many others were separated from their groups.

While a few thousand people came out to participate, the mass was not as large as the typical crowd.

Port Huron Police Sgt. Jason Barna said the event was hectic.

The float down started around 1 p.m. at Lighthouse Beach in Port Huron and wound its way down the St. Clair River to Chrysler Beach in Marysville.

The morning started with warm weather and clear skies, while the weather was predicted turn slightly windy with a few showers.

►Shipping companies:Nix the Port Huron Float Down

But the weather eventually grew to heavy downpours of rain and strong west winds.

“People have been reported missing, but we don’t know yet if they were just separated from their group due to the winds or if they are actually missing yet,” Barna said.

Barna said Port Huron Police and supporting units had their hands full with medical calls, possible drownings, people falling off rafts, getting out of the river on private land and people trying to hitch-hike to their cars.

Barna said so many floaters ended up in Canada that officials set up a refugee camp to screen anyone who landed on Canadian territory before sending them back.

Around 4 p.m. Sunday, Sarnia Police Service began receiving calls from floaters who needed assistance on the St. Clair River.

According to a news release by the Sarnia Police, “hundreds of people are being assisted by the Sarnia Police Service, Sarnia Fire Department, Lambton EMS, Ontario Provincial Police, Canada Customs and Border Agency, RCMP and Canada Coastguard water units, Sarnia Transit, Canadian Red Cross, security and fire personnel from the various chemical and petrochemical plants that border the St. Clair River, and members of the general public.”

►Related: C-SPAN takes a long look at Port Huron

Sarnia officials are assisting people out of the water, treating those in need of assistance, and then transporting American citizens back to U.S. Customs and Immigration via Sarnia Transit buses.

Still, the poor weather didn’t deter people from jumping into the water.

Tricia Frost, 26, of Roger City, drove two-and-a-half hours to participate.

“Last year during the float down we drifted to Canada because we used a kiddie pool and couldn’t control it,” Frost said. “But it’s fun because you meet a lot of people and seeing the bridge is amazing and it’s great to be with your friends and family.”

Lydia Russell, 63, of Shelby Township, has wanted to participate for the last 10 years and she was finally able to.

“Something always comes up but I’ve heard so much about it and we have a big party planned afterwards,” Russell said.

Russell came prepared with a life jacket, oars, water and food.

Nancy Tatar, 49, of New Baltimore was eager to get in the water with her nephews. When she arrived it was still sunny with clear skies.

“My nephews convinced me to come,” Tatar said. “It’s something you do to get bragging rights.”

Tatar said they brought paddles to help them stay on course to avoid having to be picked up by the U.S. Coast Guard.

As of 8 p.m. Sunday, officials did not have concrete numbers regarding how many floaters were missing or drifted to Canada. Refer to www.thetimesherald.com for updates.

To report a floater missing, call St. Clair County Central Dispatch at (810) 985-8115.

Nicole Hayden is a reporter for the Port Huron TImes Herald. Contact her at (810) 989-6279 or nhayden@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @nicoleandpig.