Strong northeasterly winds and giant waves hit the north and south shores of Lake Superior on Wednesday, shattering rock and rocks, flooding low-lying areas and forcing authorities to close roads and beaches.

Winds frequently blew nearly 50 miles at or near Duluth and some waves measured 20 feet, according to the National Weather Service. A Canadian freighter measured a gust of wind at 100 km / h near Castle Danger around 12:30.

Duluth, sitting at the west end of the lake, would have been the most affected by the waves. The stagnant water has forced the city to close much of Canal Park, the popular tourist area located near the iconic lift bridge. Only residents of Park Point and people with business in the area were allowed to pass Buchanan Street, police said. Officials warned of rocks and debris on the flooded streets and the popular Lakewalk.

Harbor Drive, located behind the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, was also deemed inaccessible and the city closed Brighton Beach further along the coast.

But floods and damage have spread to the north coast and Wisconsin as well. Roads were closed in Ashland County, Wisconsin. In Cook County, Minnesota, near the Canadian border, officials shut down County Road 69 in Hovland due to flooding. According to Mayor Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux, in downtown Grand Marais, waves hit Artists' Point's parking lots, carrying rocks.

In Duluth, strong winds pushed the lake level to about 10 inches.

Storms are not unusual on the lake in the fall, said weather service meteorologist Greg Frosig.

"It's just that it's a long mission," he said. "It affects us for a few days."

Evaluate the damage

The storm, which began early Monday, was to clear Thursday morning.

Officials from the city of Duluth said at an afternoon briefing that they would probably not be able to begin to assess the damage before that date. The storm came just as workers were starting to rebuild part of the Lakewalk after a storm last year caused millions of dollars in damage.

A municipal official said that an inspection done at Lakewalk Wednesday morning near the Fitger complex had revealed further damage, including soil erosion, cavity asphalt and turned over boards of the boardwalk.

Authorities have asked observers for waves to stay away from flooded areas.

"Yes, it's interesting to see the power of Lake Superior," said Keith Hamre, acting director of the city. "But … we have to be respectful of this Lake Superior power, it can be very deadly very quickly."

Instead, officials have suggested tourists stay comfortable and watch the waves on one of the many webcams installed along the lake.

The owners and employees of the Vikre Distillery, near the foot of the rising bridge, decided to leave Wednesday noon, fearing that it would not be prudent to stay in their business. The water had flooded the street in front of the distillery and entered the small bar on the ground floor, said co-owner Joel Vikre. However, most cases are up a few steps, so Vikre said he hoped the damage would be minimal.

"I'm sure some things will have to be repaired and obviously cleaned up," Vikre said. The cement floors in the business would make things easier, he added. "It's here that being rustic is to your advantage."

The storm brought an unusual gift to Paul Kellner, a Park Point resident, and his family.

A blue canoe that disappeared last year – the one they supposedly stole – reappeared after the waves of sand dunes battered on their property.

"It's just the strangest," said Kellner, explaining that a storm had to bury him last year. "The lake takes and then the lake makes, I guess."

As if the wind and water were not enough, the people of northern Minnesota were preparing for a first winter dose on Thursday.

According to the National Weather Service, it is expected to fall between 1 and 6 inches of snow in northern Minnesota, with the heaviest amounts being north and west of Iron Range. Four to six inches are expected in the area of ​​International Falls. To the south, an inch or two is possible in much of central Minnesota.

Roads in these areas will be slippery Thursday morning and visibility could be reduced, warned the weather service.

Small rains will again fall in the Twin Cities and the southern third of Minnesota on Thursday, the meteorological service said.