Blizzard and Winter Storm in Michigan, March 9, 1998

A strengthening low pressure center tracked northeast across the Ohio Valley on Monday, March 9th, and brought heavy snow and blizzard conditions to west central, southwest, central, and most of south central Lower Michigan. Light rain on Sunday, March 8th, changed to a brief period of freezing rain and sleet during the predawn hours on Monday, March 9th in areas north and west of Grand Rapids. This icy mixture changed to snow by 7:00 am EST across most of Mason, Lake, Osceola, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana, Muskegon, and Ottawa Counties. Rain changed to freezing rain and sleet in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Lansing, Jackson, and surrounding communities between 7:00 am and 9:00 am EST. This icy mix changed to snow during the mid to late morning hours from east to west. However, a prolonged period of sleet across Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph counties, cut down on snowfall totals in these areas. Snowfall was heavy and was reported at rates around and slightly over 1 inch per hour. Northerly winds increased to sustained speeds of 25 to 35 mph during the morning hours and wind gusts of 45-60 mph were reported along the counties along Lake Michigan shores. One report of a 60-mph wind gust occurred in Ludington around Noon. Widespread blizzard conditions were reported across Mason, Lake, Oceana, and Muskegon Counties. Occasional white-outs were also reported elsewhere across western and central Lower Michigan. Snowfall totals averaged 6 to 12 inches for areas north and west of a line from Cassopolis to Kalamazoo to Lansing. The highest storm total reported was 18 inches in Howard City, in Montcalm County. Snowfall totals of 2 to 5 inches were reported in Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Calhoun, Branch, Eaton, Ingham, and Jackson counties. Several area cities and counties declared local snow emergencies. Numerous weather-related traffic accidents were reported, one of which resulted in 2 fatalities in Kent County when a snowmobile collided with a Kent County Road Commission snow plow truck. Downed trees and power lines cut power to some residents, most of which occurred in the counties bordering Lake Michigan. Power outages were reported in Mason (600), Lake, Clare, Oceana, Muskegon (1,900), Montcalm (1,630), Allegan (7,000), and Berrien (12,000) counties. Schools and businesses were closed by this winter storm, the most intense of the 1997-98 winter season. Saturated ground in Jackson from heavy rainfall Sunday night and early Monday morning weakened an old oak tree, which was blown over by winds gusting to 30 mph just before daybreak. This tree crashed through a home in the city of Jackson and caused an estimated $100,000 in damage. No injuries were reported from residents inside the home. Beach erosion and coastal flooding affected the Lake Michigan shoreline in Van Buren and Berrien Counties. One home along the lake shore in New Buffalo was undermined and destroyed as high waves on Lake Michigan washed away the dunes. Several other homes were flooded in New Buffalo because of the partial collapse of a sea wall. Storm surge in the St. Joseph River flooded several roads in Benton Harbor. Winds gusted to 50 knots along the lake shore and wave heights reached 10-15 feet at the height of the storm. Numerous power lines were downed near the lake shore in Berrien County. Several shelters were opened Monday night in Berrien County for residents without power and those affected by storm surge flooding.