The Southern Great Lakes Derecho of 1998 was a derecho event that occurred on the final weekend of May, May 30 and 31, 1998. Before racing from southern Minnesota to New York in 15 hours, this derecho killed 6 people and injured over 200. Over 2 million customers lost power. Some had to go without power for up to 10 days!

Synopsis

This derecho got its start from a developing low pressure system that moved into the northern Plains and Great Lakes. The derecho formed from the same storm system that spawned the Spencer, South Dakota tornado, which killed six people.

Late in the evening on the 30th, the tornado-producing supercells merged and became one squall line. It developed further and became a bow echo system.

It would become the most destructive natural disaster to hit the Upper Midwest in recent memory.

Minnesota

The most damage in Minnesota occurred at the northern edge in Sibley and McLeod Counties. Winds ranged from 80-100 mph in those two counties.

After the derecho raced through Minnesota, tens of thousands of trees were blown down. There were 500,000 customers without power. Over 100 homes were destroyed or damaged beyond repair. Twenty-two people were injured. The derecho caused $50 million in damage in southern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin.

Wisconsin

The derecho raced across Wisconsin in only three hours killing one person in Washington County when a tree fell through the roof and onto her bed where she was sleeping. It injured 37 people in Wisconsin. Many utility companies and emergency customers said that this was the most damaging straight-line wind thunderstorm event in 100 years. Five thousand homes and businesses were damaged and 24 were destroyed.

Michigan

The storm raced through Michigan in only two hours at an average speed of 70 mph! Four people were killed in Michigan, and 146 were injured. Total damage was estimated at $172 million (1998 dollars). 250 homes and 34 businesses were destroyed.

This derecho would go on to break the record for biggest power outage ever in the state of Michigan. 860,000 people lost power, slightly more than the amount from the Southern Great Lakes Derecho of 1991. It blew down five 345-kilovolt transmission towers owned by Consumers Energy.

Thirteen counties in Central Lower Michigan was declared federal disaster areas.

One person drowned in Ontario when his boat turned over from the derecho's strong winds.

It caused $300,000 worth of damage in central New York before dissipating at around 11 A.M. on May 31.

Summary

Overall, the derecho traveled 975 miles from southern Minnesota to central New York in 15 hours at an average speed of 65 mph! It became one of the most damaging derecho events in North America's history, causing $300 million in damage.

See also

• List of notable derecho events