Severe Weather Safety Tips

Summary:
A meteotsunami struck Lake Michigan in Holland on Tuesday following severe weather across the state, causing the water levels to rise by 2 feet on beaches in Ludington and Holland. Meteotsunamis are large waves caused by air-pressure disturbances usually linked to fast-moving weather events like severe thunderstorms. Unlike tsunamis, which travel further, are larger, and cause more damage, meteotsunamis are regional and less destructive. The last significant meteotsunami occurred in April 2018, generating an 8-foot wave in Ludington due to a 71-mile-per-hour storm. Residents are advised to understand their flood risk by using FEMA’s Flood Map and to stay informed about weather forecasts through local news outlets or weather.com.
For more information, contact Jalen Williams at jawilliams1@freepress.com.