GASTON COUNTY, N.C. -- Lake patrol officers continue to see record numbers of boaters on the lakes this summer.

Over the Fourth of July weekend, a woman was killed when she was caught under a pop-up storm on Mountain Island Lake in Gaston County. She and her boyfriend took shelter on an island, but a tree fell on her.

Officers with Gaston County Police Department say before heading out on the lake, check the weather.

If you do get caught in a storm, everyone on board should put on a lifejacket. Then, get off the lake by going going to either a marina or a boat ramp.

“Worst case scenario, find a home and tie up to their dock,” says Sergeant J.E. Knupp with Gaston County Police Department Lake Patrol.