Name: Fierce waves from Lake Michigan slam the shore
Uploaded: 2020-02-18T14:45:00-06:00
Description: Large waves overwhelmed the shores of South Haven, Michigan, on Feb. 18. The could be seen topping piers and causing inland flooding.

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The public waterfront in the village of Ephraim suffered extensive damage from high water and storm surges.

TAD DUKEHART, WISCONSIN WATCH

Lake Michigan’s waters reached record highs in July 2020, inundating buildings on Washington Island, which sits off of Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula. Here, water is inches away from completely submerging piers at Jackson Harbor on July 24.

BRETT KOSMIDER, DOOR COUNTY PULSE

Hoyt Purinton, president of the Washington Island Ferry line and a seasoned captain, leads a fleet of five ferries that navigate the waters off of Wisconsin’s Door County peninsula year-round. His family business has faced a host of challenges from Lake Michigan’s shifting waters in recent years. “It reminds you you’re not in charge,” Purinton says.

BRETT KOSMIDER, DOOR COUNTY PULSE

The village of Ephraim recently completed a $358,000 project to place large rocks along the shoreline and create a new sidewalk and park space downtown. The rock barriers aim to protect the Lake Michigan shoreline against erosion from powerful waves, which have whittled away land in recent years.

COBURN DUKEHART AND TAD DUKEHART, WISCONSIN WATCH

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MARIO KORAN Wisconsin Watch, WPR

Mike Kahr, an engineer and owner of Death’s Door Marine, has watched Lake Michigan’s water levels fluctuate during his 40-plus year career. But even he hasn’t seen water levels swing quite this rapidly.

Large waves overwhelmed the shores of South Haven, Michigan, on Feb. 18. The could be seen topping piers and causing inland flooding.