Strong winds blew through Grand Marias on Friday, causing major power outages and damage to businesses and homes.
The winds tore sheet metal off the roof of Moose Tracks, knocked kitchen hood equipment off the roof of the South of the Border Cafe, and destroyed the wooden frame on the dock at the North House Folk School.
The National Weather Service recorded sustained winds of 74 mph during the storm, which lasted until Christmas morning. The storm also brought power outages across the county as downed trees wiped out power lines.
“It was quite the buzz,” said local resident and Moose Tracks manager Mike Furman. “The smell was just incredible.”
Furman, who lives in Grand Marais with his wife and four children, said they experienced multiple outages during the winds.
“The power line company has been amazing,” he added. “They had their hands full that night.”
On Tuesday, Moose Tracks and several other local businesses remained closed due to storm damage. Furman said he hopes to reopen Moose Tracks on Wednesday or Thursday, but it’s not yet clear how much repairs will be needed.
“I’m trying to be open when I can,” he said Tuesday morning. “As long as the weather is calm.”
According to the National Weather Service, the 74 mph wind gust was just shy of Grand Marais’ record gust of 80.5 mph during a June 2009 storm.
