THE GREAT STORM OF 1913

 

IT WAS NINETY NINE YEARS AGO

Today the first major snow storm of winter, struck the east coast with her fast and fury announcement, “I have arrived.”  Many were surprised at her early arrival, and for those who were waiting on her, she did not disappoint them.  She reminded all of us that winter is on the way, and we must prepare for her harsh and brutal attacks.  As I watched the news reports on the television screen, I was reminded of another storm that I had I came face to face with as I traveled the back roads of Northern Michigan.  This storm took place 99 years ago, and the devastation of this storm was worth reminding all of us just how dangerous these early storms can be.  The account that is listed below was taken from the Wikipedia on line Encyclopedia.  You might want to access it for some additional info on this subject.  Now watch with me the first video of this great storm.

The Great Lakes Storm of 1913, historically referred to as the “Big Blow”, the “Freshwater Fury” or the “White Hurricane“, was a blizzard with hurricane-force winds that devastated the Great Lakes Basin in the Midwestern United States and the Canadian province ofOntario from November 7 through November 10, 1913. The storm was most powerful on November 9, battering and overturning ships on four of the five Great Lakes, particularly Lake Huron. Deceptive lulls in the storm and the slow pace of weather reports contributed to the storm’s destructiveness.

The deadliest and most destructive natural disaster ever to hit the lakes,[1] the Great Lakes Storm killed more than 250 people,[2][3] [4] [5][6] destroyed 19 ships, and stranded 19 others. The financial loss in vessels alone was nearly US $5 million, or about $100 million at current value.[7] This included about $1 million at current value in lost cargo totaling about 68,300 tons, such as coal, iron ore, and grain.[8]

The storm originated as the convergence of two major storm fronts, fueled by the lakes’ relatively warm waters—a seasonal process called a “November gale“. It produced 90 mph (145 km/h) winds, waves over 35 feet (11 m) high, and whiteout snow squalls. Analysis of the storm and its impact on humans, engineering structures, and the landscape led to better forecasting and faster responses to storm warnings, stronger construction (especially of marine vessels), and improved preparedness.

For a firsthand account of this storm, click this link.  http://www.wmhs.org/html/storm.html

 

 

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