Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain Lena Hanson

Historical Insights Great Lakes Storm of 1913

Six-foot high snowdrifts buried the streets. Drivers who were forced to remain in their vehicles were stranded for up to two nights. After the storm finally calmed, cities were left paralyzed by the storm. 1913, Cleveland, Ohio. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

Great Lakes Storm of 1913

Lena Hanson

Lena Hanson

1867–1962

great-grandmother

In 1913, Lena Hanson was living in Rose, Wisconsin when a devastating storm furiously slammed the Great Lakes. *

* Insight to be reviewed

Other relatives

{{count}} of your family members lived in the Midwest when the White Hurricane devastated the region.

Hurricane-force winds of 90 miles-per-hour, towering waves over 35 feet, and whiteout blizzard conditions inundated the Great Lakes between November 7 and November 10, 1913. Surrounding ports signaled it was a level-four storm, but for some vessels, it was already too late. Major ship wrecks took place on all the Great Lakes except for Lake Ontario. On land, 24 inches of snow shut down traffic and communication and caused millions of dollars in damage. When the storm cleared, 12 ships had sunk, 19 were stranded, and nearly 250 lives were lost.

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The storm is historically known by several names including the “Big Blow”, the “Freshwater Fury,” and the “White Hurricane.”
The storm is historically known by several names including the “Big Blow”, the “Freshwater Fury,” and the “White Hurricane.” November 10, 1913, Chicago, Illinois. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
The entire crew of all the 12 ships that sank perished in the near-freezing waters. Four of the ships were never found. Bodies washed ashore for days after the storm subsided.
The entire crew of all the 12 ships that sank perished in the near-freezing waters. Four of the ships were never found. Bodies washed ashore for days after the storm subsided. 1913, Lake Huron. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain