High winds create massive Lake Michigan waves in Algoma

ALGOMA (WLUK) — High winds introduced heavy surf to elements of the Lake Michigan shoreline Friday.

“I live close by. I’m a local photographer. Why wouldn’t I come out here? I love it when it gets crazy like this. All you can hear are the waves,” mentioned Patti Raine, Patti Raine Photography Owner.

On days like Friday, Patti Raine says waves can carom 40-50 ft into the air.

“Gale force winds. I would definitely say gale force winds. Yes,” she mentioned.

Those excessive winds put the 900-foot lengthy metal and concrete break wall to the check Friday morning. Matt Murphy is Algoma City Administrator.

“It is doing its job. It’s doing everything it’s supposed to do. Where it’s coming up, is something to see. It’s pretty significant. We have not seen that in some time, because our wall, the last two years was under construction. So it’s something to see now that the wall is completed and what it actually looks like,” mentioned Matt Murphy, Algoma City Administrator.

Murphy says that is not all. Just to the north is the acquainted 48-foot tall purple pierhead.

“Everybody wants a picture of it. Whether the sun’s coming up, or waves are crashing into the lighthouse and into the catwalk. It’s always something to see,” he mentioned.

Photographer Patti Raine agrees.

“You can get pretty close to the lighthouse down there. And there again, you get a different perspective of which way the waves are coming. Because right now, it doesn’t look like they’re crashing around the pierhead as much as they are around the break water. But until you get down there, it’s a whole different perspective. But overall, very cool? Very cool,” she mentioned.

People are inspired to make use of warning whereas taking within the sights.

Algoma metropolis leaders say the break wall resulting in the long-lasting purple lighthouse is scheduled to get replaced.

Construction is ready to start, later this spring.