Storms hit Michigan's Upper Peninsula damaging campgrounds, back-country trails and campers

Radar image of the storm front that hit Michigan's Upper
Peninsula July 21 causing damage at campgrounds
and crushing two campers.

I have been in some pretty bad storms in the back-country but what hit the upper peninsula in the past two weeks sound more like something out of a bad science fiction movie and it has happened not once but twice this month.

The latest storm slammed the Upper Peninsula again yesterday causing damage at campgrounds, crushing two campers and bringing down power lines across the region.

“We’ve had damage reported at state parks from the Porcupine Mountains, east to Twin Lakes and especially at the Emily Lake State Forest Campground in Houghton County,” said John Pepin, DNR deputy public information officer. “At this point, we have not had any injuries reported from the parks.

Two campers at Emily Lake State Forest Campground
were crushed when trees came down during the storm.

At Emily Lake campground two campers were destroyed when trees came down basically tearing them in half. Both campers were occupied and somehow, no one was hurt. The campground is closed until further notice.

Earlier this month, on July 11, a huge storm rolled across the upper peninsula and with it came winds up to 90 mph, an EF1 tornado, up to 11 inches of rain and in its aftermath damage that has forced the closure of some campsites and cabins in Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park.

The Porkies, as they are often called are located on the western edge of Michigan’s upper peninsula and is the largest state park in the Michigan system. It is known for back country trails and a true taste of wilderness.

Detail of the areas affected by the July 11 storm where
temporary closures are in effect. 

The two cabins closed include the Big Carp 6-bunk and 4-bunk cabins and the 4-bunk Lake Superior cabin on the shore of Lake Superior. Along with this is the closure of 10 back-country sites which are between the mouth of the Big and Little Carp rivers.

“Access to this area is very limited. Many boardwalks have washed out, bridges are gone or compromised and the trail is washed away in some areas and flooded in other areas,” said park supervisor Dave Merk. "We are closing the area for safety reasons. Once the water levels recede, we will be back in there to reevaluate and prioritize our plans."

All of the closures are temporary and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources says everything should be back to normal by July 28, that is if the storm that hit this week did not cause further damage. 

Along with the cabins and campsites closed, there are some trails that were damaged by the 11-inches of rain that pounded the area. 

For more information on the area and the damage caused by the storms, check out the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park website where updates are being posted.