MICHIGAN

High water, erosion threatens homes along Lake Michigan shoreline

The Detroit News
Dawn Mendenhall embraces her mother Norma Mendenhall after looking at the erosion that high lake levels have caused on her property on the Lake Michigan shoreline in Shelby, Mich. Norma Mendenhall has lived in the home for 58 years. The home has been moved back from the edge of the bluff to protect it from sliding into the lake.
Dawn Mendenhall embraces her mother Norma Mendenhall after looking at the erosion that high lake levels have caused on her property on the Lake Michigan shoreline in Shelby, Mich. Norma Mendenhall has lived in the home for 58 years. The home has been moved back from the edge of the bluff to protect it from sliding into the lake.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
A house sits near near the edge of an eroded bluff cliff on the Lake Michigan shoreline in Shelby, Mich.
A house sits near near the edge of an eroded bluff cliff on the Lake Michigan shoreline in Shelby, Mich.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
The remainder of what was once three retaining walls can be seen covered by water along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Shelby, Mich.
The remainder of what was once three retaining walls can be seen covered by water along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Shelby, Mich.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
Phil Jonassen of Jonassen Inc. Structural Movers stands along the eroded Lake Michigan shoreline in Shelby, Mich. where his company is working to move several houses that are threatened by the eroding bluffs.
Phil Jonassen of Jonassen Inc. Structural Movers stands along the eroded Lake Michigan shoreline in Shelby, Mich. where his company is working to move several houses that are threatened by the eroding bluffs.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
This house off South Lakeview Drive in Shelby, Mich. has been lifted and pulled back several feet to save it from falling into Lake Michigan. Bricks on the ground show where the house's foundation once stood.
This house off South Lakeview Drive in Shelby, Mich. has been lifted and pulled back several feet to save it from falling into Lake Michigan. Bricks on the ground show where the house's foundation once stood.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
Large rocks have been placed on the cliff to preserve the land on at Juniper Beach in Golden Township. Much of the shoreline has eroded and fallen into Lake Michigan.
Large rocks have been placed on the cliff to preserve the land on at Juniper Beach in Golden Township. Much of the shoreline has eroded and fallen into Lake Michigan.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
A house remains lifted after being moved back from the edge of the bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan on what once was North Lakeshore Drive at Juniper Beach in Golden Township. Part of North Lakeshore Drive has fallen into Lake Michigan due to high lake levels causing shoreline erosion.
A house remains lifted after being moved back from the edge of the bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan on what once was North Lakeshore Drive at Juniper Beach in Golden Township. Part of North Lakeshore Drive has fallen into Lake Michigan due to high lake levels causing shoreline erosion.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
The remainder of what was once three retaining walls can be seen covered by water along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Shelby, Mich. Dawn Mendenhall of Oregon said, "Six years ago we were having a bonfire out there." Mendenhall grew up at the property.
The remainder of what was once three retaining walls can be seen covered by water along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Shelby, Mich. Dawn Mendenhall of Oregon said, "Six years ago we were having a bonfire out there." Mendenhall grew up at the property.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
This staircase used to lead to Juniper Beach in Golden Township but the bottom of the stairs have fallen into Lake Michigan.
This staircase used to lead to Juniper Beach in Golden Township but the bottom of the stairs have fallen into Lake Michigan.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
A wooden walkway drops off the bluff after the remainder of it has fallen into Lake Michigan along what used to be North Lakeshore Drive at Juniper Beach in Golden Township.
A wooden walkway drops off the bluff after the remainder of it has fallen into Lake Michigan along what used to be North Lakeshore Drive at Juniper Beach in Golden Township.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
A green fence was placed at the edge of the property nearly a month ago and since then a large chunk of land has fallen into Lake Michigan in Shelby, Mich.
A green fence was placed at the edge of the property nearly a month ago and since then a large chunk of land has fallen into Lake Michigan in Shelby, Mich.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
The waters of Lake Michigan now cover the location which used to be North Lakeshore Drive at Juniper Beach in Golden Township. Part of North Lakeshore Drive has fallen into Lake Michigan due to high lake levels.
The waters of Lake Michigan now cover the location which used to be North Lakeshore Drive at Juniper Beach in Golden Township. Part of North Lakeshore Drive has fallen into Lake Michigan due to high lake levels.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
Phil Jonassen of Jonassen Inc. Structural Movers points out the erosion that has taken place since he started working to move houses in Shelby, Mich. threatened by the erosion of the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Phil Jonassen of Jonassen Inc. Structural Movers points out the erosion that has taken place since he started working to move houses in Shelby, Mich. threatened by the erosion of the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
Phil Jonassen stands on what used to be a part of North Lakeshore Drive at Juniper Beach in Golden Township. Part of North Lakeshore Drive has fallen into Lake Michigan due to high lake levels and shoreline erosion.
Phil Jonassen stands on what used to be a part of North Lakeshore Drive at Juniper Beach in Golden Township. Part of North Lakeshore Drive has fallen into Lake Michigan due to high lake levels and shoreline erosion.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
A driveway drops off after the remainder of it has slid down the bluff on the edge of Lake Michigan on what used to be North Lakeshore Drive at Juniper Beach in Golden Township. Part of North Lakeshore Drive has fallen into Lake Michigan due to high lake levels shoreline erosion.
A driveway drops off after the remainder of it has slid down the bluff on the edge of Lake Michigan on what used to be North Lakeshore Drive at Juniper Beach in Golden Township. Part of North Lakeshore Drive has fallen into Lake Michigan due to high lake levels shoreline erosion.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
Norma Mendenhall(red coat), 88, takes a photo of her home as she stands on a staircase leading down to Lake Michigan in Shelby, south of Ludington. Norma has lived here for 58 years but now bluff erosion threatens to destroy her home and those of her neighbors.
Norma Mendenhall(red coat), 88, takes a photo of her home as she stands on a staircase leading down to Lake Michigan in Shelby, south of Ludington. Norma has lived here for 58 years but now bluff erosion threatens to destroy her home and those of her neighbors.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
Large sections of concrete patio slide down the bluff toward the icy waters of Lake Michigan below as erosion threatens homes in Shelby, Mich.
Large sections of concrete patio slide down the bluff toward the icy waters of Lake Michigan below as erosion threatens homes in Shelby, Mich.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
Scattered boards from now-destroyed retaining walls litter the beach along Lake Michigan in Shelby Township.
Scattered boards from now-destroyed retaining walls litter the beach along Lake Michigan in Shelby Township.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
Retaining walls begin to crumble along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Shelby.
Retaining walls begin to crumble along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Shelby.
Samantha Madar, Special To The Detroit News
Lake Michigan erosion claims Patricia "Tish" Gancer's beach house, pictured on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, in White River Township, near Montague, Mich.
Lake Michigan erosion claims Patricia "Tish" Gancer's beach house, pictured on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, in White River Township, near Montague, Mich.
Cory Morse, AP
Lake Michigan erosion claims Patricia "Tish" Gancer's beach house, pictured on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, in White River Township, near Montague, Mich.
Lake Michigan erosion claims Patricia "Tish" Gancer's beach house, pictured on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, in White River Township, near Montague, Mich.
Cory Morse, AP
Lake Michigan erosion claims Patricia "Tish" Gancer's beach house, pictured on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, in White River Township, near Montague, Mich.
Lake Michigan erosion claims Patricia "Tish" Gancer's beach house, pictured on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, in White River Township, near Montague, Mich.
Cory Morse, AP
Enormous sand bags, intended to protect the bluff from erosion due to high water levels, have been placed along the shoreline of Lake Michigan to protect houses close to the water in Holland, Mich. Erosion has already washed away the staircases leading down to the water from most of the homes
Enormous sand bags, intended to protect the bluff from erosion due to high water levels, have been placed along the shoreline of Lake Michigan to protect houses close to the water in Holland, Mich. Erosion has already washed away the staircases leading down to the water from most of the homes
Scott Faustyn