Name/Title
Waterspout 1983Entry/Object ID
2026.03.01Description
24 snapshots of damage caused by a July 21, 1983 waterspout. The photos are packed in a "Linprints" clear-plastic, hinged box with a note that reads "The water spout of 1983, landed in Wicks Park, then jumped up to Francis Street on the hill."
Included in this entry are images of 28 July 1983 Commercial Record coverage of the storm's aftermath.Photograph Details
Type of Photograph
Print, photographSubject Person or Organization
Saugatuck Yacht Service, Chain Ferry Landings, 888 Holland/Park House/Clover's Waffle House/H.D. Moore residence, 321 Water St./Saugatuck Tea Party/Tuscan Pot/Kleeman's TavernContext
A waterspout is a rotating column of air, like a tornado, that forms over water. The waterspout damaged multiple trees, boats, fences, buildings and cars in Saugatuck and Douglas. The F2 weather event happened at 8:50 pm and resulted in the drowning death of William Lee, 63, of Grand Junction.
"Later that same day, a tornado struck near Saugatuck, Michigan. A wall of water created by the tornado moved up Kalamazoo Lake and swamped a boat that was moored to a bridge. One of the men occupying the boat was thrown into the water and drowned. This was the first tornado-related fatality during July in Michigan since 1926."
-- Annual Summary, The Tornado Season of 1983, National Severe Storms Forecast Center, Kansas City, MO 64106, March 1985.
Subsequent power outages had restaurants scrambling to keep frozen food stocks from thawing.Collection
Weather, extremeCataloged By
Winthers, SallyAcquisition
Accession
2026.03Source or Donor
Morris, ForrestAcquisition Method
Donation, unconditionalLexicon
Search Terms
water spout, disaster, climate, destructionDimensions
Height
3-1/2 inWidth
4-1/2 inLocation
Box
146 Weather and ClimateCreate Date
February 23, 2026Update Date
March 2, 2026
