By Gordon Berg
It’s easy to be complacent about tornadoes when you don’t live in the midsection of the U.S. known as Tornado Alley. Especially if you live along the west-central coast of Michigan. After all, tornadoes always occur somewhere else, hundreds of miles away, right? No. They happen here, too. Around 10 tornadoes have touched down between Manistee and Ludington in the last 75 years. Several along the coast. Others inland by only about 20 miles.
During this year’s Severe Weather Awareness Week in Michigan, March 19-25, we pause to remember one of those big storms and learn steps we can take to prepare ourselves in the event of a recurrence this season and beyond.
Bear Lake’s goliath
Many still recall the twister that touched down near Bear Lake in Manistee County on April 3, 1956. This F4 monster, packing winds up to 200 mph, cut a path of destruction all the way to Grand Traverse Bay. It was part of a huge storm system that struck nearly the length of Michigan’s west coast.
People still remember and comment on a Facebook page dedicated to this storm system: “West Michigan Tornadoes of April 3, 1956”. Dozens more can be found on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service page dedicated to this severe weather event: https://www.weather.gov/grr/1956TornadoOutbreakEyewitnessVT
On these sites, you’ll find stories, pictures and even home movies of this tragic event. And memories. So many memories. They express the terror and fear people experienced. Struggles to survive. Unimaginable destruction of life and property. And the sound of the twister itself ⸺ like a freight train ⸺ so loud, one person even remembers screaming as loudly as they could and still not being able to hear themself over the ear-shattering sound of ruin all around them.
The NOAA’s National Weather Service chronicled that day’s weather system this way:
The afternoon of Tuesday, April 3rd, 1956, was warm and humid. Strong south winds had brought summer-like temperatures and humidity, with record highs in the upper 70s at Muskegon. Dew points were in the 60s, even near Lake Michigan. But a strong cold front was approaching from the west and out ahead of it, a line of violent thunderstorms had formed over Wisconsin and Illinois…The U.S. Weather Bureau began notifying the public and civil defense officials that the risk across western Michigan was increasing. Some schools began letting out early, anticipating the severe weather to come.
The storms crossed Lake Michigan, and when they reached the west coast of Lower Michigan by late afternoon, they immediately began producing tornadoes. Three hours of terror would follow. At least four powerful tornadoes would be spawned, tearing their way across the landscape. When it was over, areas from Saugatuck to Traverse City, and inland to Middleville and Rockford were dealing with unprecedented destruction. Almost 20 people were dead and hundreds injured. Dozens of homes were obliterated. Many people’s lives were irrevocably changed.
Learn and prepare
Tornadoes happen. Yup. Even along the “safe” west coast of Michigan. So, here’s what you need to know. Go to https://www.michigan.gov/miready. There, you’ll find dozens of life-saving tips for all sorts of emergency situations, including “Tornadoes.” Rehearse it with your family and co-workers, so it all becomes second nature. This website offers advice about how to deal safely with potential dangers in a storm’s aftermath, including debris, unstable buildings and downed power lines. And, it has wise tips for conserving battery life on your cellphone and photographing your home’s damage for future insurance claims.
Spring and summer are coming soon to Michigan. Warmer days are ahead, but a doozy of a storm or two may come along with that wonderful weather. So, let’s all prepare now and plan to stay safe … together.
Gordon Berg is a descendant of Manistee’s Bergs, Swansons and Martinsons. His debut book “Harry and the Hurricane” is about his father’s life as a young boy and how he survived the Miami Hurricane of 1926. www.harryandthehurricane.com
