High Wind in Michigan, April 6 to 7, 1997

An intense early spring low pressure system moving across the Great Lakes brought gale force westerly winds to all of Lower Michigan behind a strong cold front. The cold front moved onshore in western Lower Michigan around 5 PM EDT Sunday, April 6th. Winds increased to sustained speeds of 35 to 45 mph out of the west shortly after frontal passage. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph were common through midnight, Sunday night. Winds continued to gust to gale force through 5 PM EDT Monday, April 7th. The U.S. Coast Guard reported wave heights of 10 to 15 feet near the Lake Michigan shoreline. Widespread wind damage and lake shore beach erosion was reported across the area. Area insurance companies estimated claims totaled nearly $5.0 million from the wind damage. However, no serious injuries were reported from the storm. The winds downed trees and power lines and resulted in roof damage to area homes and businesses. Between 180,000 and 200,000 Consumers Energy customers lost power across the state Sunday evening. Nearly 70,000 customers were still without power Monday morning at 5 AM EDT. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported severe beach erosion resulted in as much as 20 feet of beach loss in a few areas. Bluffs in Saugatuck township appeared to be hit hardest. The beach erosion was due in part to unusually high lake water levels, nearly 38 inches above average. Numerous reports of downed trees and power lines were received. Roads were blocked in some areas due to downed wires, trees, and traffic lights. Downed wires set sporadic fires in a few instances. Some of the most signifcant damage reports are listed below: -In Cedar Springs (Kent County), the wind caused an estimated $100,000 damage to heating and air conditioning units on the roof of Plainfield Lumber & Hardware Company. A tree, 3 feet in diameter, crashed onto a home. -A mobile home was overturned at 7873 S. Derby Road in Fairplain Township in Montcalm County. -Bleachers at Carson City-Crystal Schools (Montcalm County) were blown over onto a fence. -Shingles were blown off several buildings in the Central Montcalm County Public Schools. -The roof of Howard City Department of Public Works (Montcalm County) was blown off. -In Muskegon County, several large trees were blown down onto residences and vehicles. -In downtown Muskegon, roofing was torn off several businesses on Apple Avenue. Glass was blown out of several store-front windows. -Winds gusts resulted in roof damage to the Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids. -In Coopersville (Ottawa County), a section of the roof of the Owens-Corning manufacturing building was torn off. -Winds ripped the doors off four large airplane hangars at the Grand Haven Municipal Airport. -The steel framework of a new high school gymnasium under construction in Paw Paw (Van Buren County) was toppled by high winds. -A 150 foot section of perimeter metal fence was blown down at Hartford Speedway (Van Buren County). -A 70 foot tall maple tree was uprooted and fell on a house in Holland. -A 75 foot tall tree crashed down on a home in East Grand Rapids. -In Clinton County, a truck hauling a mobile home was overturned on U.S. Highway 27. Several large trees fell on homes in St. Johns. -In Ionia County, extensive roof damage was done to Belding Area Public Schools. A barn was blown down north of Clarksville. -In Evart (Osceola County), a grain elevator was damaged.