High Wind in Michigan, November 10 to 11, 1998

On the 23rd anniversary of the 1975 storm that sank the Edmond Fitzgerald on Lake Superior, a deep low pressure system (central pressure 28.41 inches of mercury) developed over the central plains and tracked northeast across western Lake Superior. Strong winds spread over Michigan's Upper Peninsula with sustained speeds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts as high as 87 mph. A gust of 94 mph was recorded by the Ontonagon County Road Commission. Damage was reported across the region with business signs blown down and roofs damaged as well as damage to homes, vehicles, utility poles, power lines and transformers from falling trees and branches. The strong winds even blew away a city's holiday decorations. Widespread power outages were reported due to downed trees and limbs across power lines. Some residents in rural areas of Delta and Schoolcraft counties were without power for up to three days following the storm as power companies struggled to clear downed trees and repair broken lines. Beach erosion due to 8 to 15 foot waves was reported along the western Lake Superior shoreline and on the north shore of Lake Michigan. The U.S. Forest Service reported that at least 10 million dollars worth of timber was lost in the Ottawa and Hiawatha National Forests.