The 8 deadliest natural disasters in Michigan history

Learn about the most fatal natural disasters in Michigan history, from blizzards to blazes. 

Natural disasters are a part of life no matter where you live. But if you happen to be a Michigander, you’re luckier than most of your western, eastern, and southern neighbors. 

Snow storms, tornados, and strong winds are usually to blame for the most damaging weather events in the Midwest, but hey—at least we don’t have to worry about hurricanes and earthquakes.

Even though in the last decade and a half, Michigan has seen 46 billion-dollar (in damage) weather events, fatalities have decreased. To illustrate this and share some unbelievable weather history, read on to learn about the deadliest natural disasters in Michigan’s history. 

1. The White Hurricane of 1913 

Fatalities: 250

This intense blizzard spanned four days in 1913, causing nearly six-foot snow drifts. A devastating result of this “November Witch” storm was that 12 cargo ships sunk, and another 19 were stranded on the Great Lakes. Meteorologist Richard Wagenmaker of NWS Detriot described The White Hurrica as one of the deadliest maritime weather disasters in North American history.

2. The Great Michigan Fire of 1881

Fatalities: 125

Also known as the Great Thumb Fire of 1881, this deadly raged through Michigan’s thumb (Lapeer, Sanilac, and Huron counties), destroying nearly everything in its path. Strong winds contributed to an inferno that raged for three days, burning millions of acres. Notably, this event inspired the Red Cross to launch its first disaster response plan.

3. The Flint-Beecher Tornado of 1953 

Fatalities: 116

Deemed the worst natural disaster to hit Michigan in the 20th century, this F5 tornado impacted the Flint, Michigan area. In addition to this storm, eight other tornados broke out the same day in nearby lower Michigan and northwest Ohio. Thankfully, this has been the last F5 tornado in the US that caused more than 100 fatalities. 

4. The Cyclone of 1896 

Fatalities: 50 

This tornado was part of a cluster of five tornadoes hitting north of Detroit. In May 1896, these storms killed 50 people, devastating Genesee County, Bay and Tuscola counties, Warren, Utica and Mount Clemons, and Sanilac County. The total number of fatalities makes it the second-deadliest tornado outbreak in Michigan history after the Flint-Beecher tornado.

5. The January Blizzard of 1967 

Fatalities: 22 

The blizzard of 1967 was an incredibly unique winter storm, not just because it dropped a record 30 inches of snow in Kalamazoo, but because an unusually warm January day in the 50s and 60s rapidly gave way to double-digit degree drops, making the perfect storm (pun intended). The blizzard shut down schools, the local airport, and highways. The roads were so bad that the National Guard came in to help people stranded in their cars by the massive drifts. Some of the fatalities included heart attack-related deaths (from shoveling) because of how much and how heavy the snow was.

6. Triple Tornados of 1956

Fatalities: 18

In April 1956, Michigan had a series of tornados pummeled Western Michigan. Of the three tornados that day, the first was an F4 hitting Saugatuck to Holland, the second touched down was an F5 spanning 400 yards wide, and the third was an F3, which traveled through Van Buren County and Kent County and devastated the area. All of the lives lost that day were the result of the second F4 tornado. 

7. F4 Tornado in Port Huron, 1953

Fatalities: 7

On May 21, 1953, an F4 twister touched down by Smiths Creek and continued to rage on for nearly three hours. Not only did it do significant damage throughout Michigan going through Port Huron, but the tornado eventually crossed the border into Canada. Even though the death count was in the single digits, this tornado did an estimated $17.6 million in damage.

8. The Muskegon River Flood of 1986 

Fatalities: 6

A flood like the Muskegon River Flood was estimated to be a once-in-100 or even 500-year event. The rainstorms raging from September 10th through the 12th that year dumped up to 14 inches of rain (averaging around six to 12 inches) within 12 hours. It affected Central Lower Michigan, including the Muskegon, Little Muskegon, Pere Marquette, Chippewa, Cass, and Tittabawassee River Basins. The Cass River at Vassar rose to an incredible, record-setting 24.82 feet. 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.