Photo: Corbis Documentary RF
Despite the existence instruments created to predict the weather, sometimes, Mother Nature throws a curveball.
What was forecasted as a Category 1 hurricane, an F1 tornado, a minor flood, a small fire, or a light dusting of snow, can turn into an extremely unpredictable weather pattern without warning.
While there are systems in place to help people in the path of destruction prepare for devastating weather events (like evacuations ahead of a hurricane), that wasn't always the case. To this day, ruinous weather patterns can move in with little to no notice and all Michiganders can do is hope for the best and brace for the worst.
According to a list compiled by LoveExploring, the "most shocking" weather event to ever occur in Michigan was the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. This devastating storm killed 300 people and is known as the most catastrophic weather event in Michigan history.
Here's what LoveExploring detailed about the state's worst weather event of all time:
"Also known as the ‘Big Blow’ or the ‘White Hurricane’ due to its blizzard-like qualities, the Great Lakes Storm is among the deadliest natural disasters in US history. It battered the Great Lakes Basin between November 7-10, 1913, with gusts up to 90 miles per hour (145km/h) and 35-foot-tall (11m) waves. Around 12 ships sank and dozens of others were wrecked, as were the docks' life-saving stations such as this one, pictured, in Pointe aux Barques. The storm is estimated to have killed up to 300 people – a higher number than all the other major Great Lakes disasters combined."
For a continued list of the most shocking weather events to occur in each state, visit loveexploring.com.