High Winds:

Winds increased dramatically around sunrise across Lake Michigan and western Lower Michigan. The strongest winds were confined to the lakeshore where gusts over 50 mph were common from Ludington to South Haven.  The strongest measured wind gust was 58 MPH at Grand Haven, though there were several unofficial reports of wind gusts in excess of 60 mph between Muskegon and Holland.  The strength of the winds downed tree limbs - and in a few cases whole trees - leading to power outages along the lakeshore. 

Here is a list of measured wind gusts from trusted sources: 

...SELECTED HIGHEST WIND REPORTS...

Location                     Speed
Grand Haven Lighthouse       58 MPH
Muskegon Lighthouse          57 MPH
Whitehall                    53 MPH
Saugatuck Pier               53 MPH
South Haven                  51 MPH
Holland Harbor               49 MPH
3 WNW Roosevelt Park         49 MPH
St. Joseph Pier              46 MPH
3 W Port Sheldon             45 MPH
38 E Wind Point              45 MPH
Holland Airport              41 MPH
Oceana County Airport        40 MPH
Ludington                    40 MPH
South Haven Airport          35 MPH
Ferrysburg                   35 MPH

Observations are collected from a variety of sources with varying
equipment and exposures. We thank all volunteer weather observers 
for their dedication. Not all data listed are considered official.

Lakeshore Erosion and Flooding:

Significant beach and sand dune erosion occurred due to the large waves, near-record high Lake Michigan water levels, and a wind-driven surge of water. In the hardest hit areas, 10 to 20 feet of dune bluff was eroded in just 12 hours with unofficial reports of up to 30 feet removed before waves subsided.  Some places measured erosion in "inches per hour."  We have not seen such significant erosion since Lake Michigan water levels were at record levels in 1986. 

NWS Grand Rapids sent staff to survey the beach and sand dune erosion as it was happening.  A few pictures taken by the survey crew are shown below. 

(click on any image to enlarge)

Dune erosion at North Beach Park in Grand Haven (NWS Survey)	Dune erosion at Rosy Mound Natural Area, south of Grand Haven (NWS Survey)	Significant debris deposited on the beaches in South Haven (NWS Survey)	Significant debris deposited on the beaches in South Haven (NWS Survey)

West Side County Park south of Saugatuck (NWS Survey)	Large waves battering the break walls in South Haven (NWS Survey)	Large waves seen in South Haven (NWS Survey)

The large waves also flooded parks, roadways, and parking lots along the immediate lakeshore. Water was pushed up river channels especially in South Haven and Saugatuck where several buildings became surrounded by water and roadways flooded over. 

(click on any image to enlarge)

Lakeshore Drive in downtown South Haven flooded by backwater up the Black River (NWS Survey)	Lucy Street in downtown Saugatuck flooded by backwater up the Kalamazoo River (NWS Survey)	Businesses on Water Street in downtown Saugatuck surrounded by backwater pushed up the Kalamazoo River (NWS Survey)	Waves crashing onto Beach Street in Muskegon (NWS Survey)

The pictures above only hint at the scope of the beach erosion and flooding that occurred along the lakeshore. Many homes along the lake are at risk of damage as waves continue to erode dunes beneath foundations. With Lake Michigan water levels forecast to remain high through at least the winter months, the risk of lakeshore flooding and dune erosion will continue for the foreseeable future.