Great Lakes Storm of 1913 - Michigan's Deadliest Weather Event

Given the extreme weather that can sweep through other parts of the country, I often feel fortunate to call Michigan home.

While the Mitten State certainly sees its share of storms and heavy snow, we're less prone to the devastating tornadoes and earthquakes that impact other regions.

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What about hurricanes though?

Well, according to the National Weather Service, Michigan has never experienced an actual hurricane (Meteotsunamis are a thing though).

However, one of the deadliest natural disasters the state has ever had is often referred to as the "White Hurricane".

It's highlighted in a new article from Loveexploring.com. The travel publication sought to find the most shocking weather event in each state that has left lasting impacts on the nations' history.

Loveexploring has named The Great Lakes Storm of 1913 Michigan's most severe weather event.

Destroyed life saving station, Pointe aux Barques, Mich., after Great Lakes Storm of 1913 (via Library of Congress).

In addition to being called the "White Hurricane" because of its blizzard-like qualities, it's also referred to as the "Big Blow".

Two major winter storms collided over the Great Lakes on November 7-10, 1913.

National Weather Service

Gusts of wind reached up to 90 miles per hour waves roared at more than 30 feet tall.

According to NWS,

The unique and powerful nature of the storm caught even the most seasoned captain by surprise, as two low pressure centers merged and rapidly intensified over Lake Huron, with periods of storm-force winds occurring over a four day period. Vessels at the time withstood 90 mph winds and 35 foot waves, but it was the whiteout conditions and accumulation of ice on the ships that turned an already dangerous situation into a deadly one, as ship captains were unable to maintain navigation.

National Weather Service

Around twelve ships sank and many more were wrecked on Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Erie, and Lake Huron.

One such ship that went down was the Isaac M. Scott., a 504-foot steel freighter. All 28 crew members lost their lives. Today, the massive ship rests upside down, 180 feet below the surface of Lake Huron.

It's estimated at least 250 people died in The Great Lakes Storm of 1913, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in U.S. history, and the deadliest weather event in Michigan.

Library of Congress

A monument in Port Huron tells the story of The Great Lakes Storm of 1913, which claimed more lives than all the other major Great Lakes disasters combined.

Brutal, windy, fall storms like this and the one that sunk the Edmund Fitzgerald are also called "The Witches of November"

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Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF