Historical Disasters - Berrien County
Historical Disasters - Berrien County
Historical Disasters - Berrien County
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BERRIEN COUNTY HAZARD ANALYSIS 2012<br />
Deaths – 0<br />
Injuries – 1<br />
A swift moving storm in the morning dropped about 1/3 inch of rain in about 90 minutes<br />
and lightning from the storm struck a TV antenna in Benton Township which started the<br />
interior on fire. It was reported that draperies near the outlet caught on fire and as one of<br />
the residents tried to extinguish the flames, her hair was singed in the fire. The fire did<br />
burn into the living room and caused heavy smoke damage estimated at $15,000.<br />
Downed high power lines hitting the wet grass put on quite a show in St. Joseph but<br />
caused no damage but I&M crews were quickly dispatched to repair all downed lines. cxix<br />
June 12, 2001<br />
Deaths – 0<br />
Injuries – 0<br />
Severe thunderstorm ravaged the area with high winds. Lightning struck Briarwood<br />
Apartments in Benton Township, destroying the roof of one building and wrecking two<br />
apartments. 35 residents had to be evacuated and many apartments received extensive<br />
smoke and water damages. Total damage was $800,000. cxx<br />
June 30, 2002<br />
Deaths – 0<br />
Injuries – 1<br />
A <strong>Berrien</strong> Springs Oronoko Township Police Officer received a shock from a jolt of<br />
lightning while directing traffic during a thunderstorm. Although the actual impact of the<br />
lightning bolt was in open ground over ¼ mile away, the officer received a hit from<br />
“trailer bolts” off of the main bolt. He was treated and released from the hospital but<br />
never returned to duty from this event. cxxi<br />
<strong>Berrien</strong> <strong>County</strong> Hazards – Great Lakes Shoreline Flooding/Erosion<br />
October 21-22, 1929<br />
Deaths – 0<br />
Injuries – 0<br />
A Nor’wester, “October Hurricane” flanked the area causing catastrophic damage to<br />
areas along Lake Michigan. The storm came ashore due north and by the following day<br />
had veered to the southwest causing a constant battering of the shoreline. Several homes<br />
in the Higman Park area of Benton Harbor literally collapsed into the lake, foundations<br />
being swept away. The rip-roaring storm was being hailed as the worst in the last 36<br />
years. Debris littered the shores with large logs and water-soaked timbers. Roads<br />
washed out in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor causing water pumping stations to be put out<br />
of commission. Early estimates put damage within the county at $100,000. Michigan<br />
City, IN reported $300,000 loss. cxxii<br />
August 3, 1960<br />
Deaths – 0<br />
18
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