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Arenac County, Michigan

41 topographic sheets cover 26 settlements here, and 2 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

2 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Michigan within the United States
Arenac County within Michigan

What the record shows

  • 271 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 2 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 2 buildings.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 26 populated places in this county; 26 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

2

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Michigan Central Railroad Standish Depotbuilding199191000215
Second Arenac County Courthousebuilding198282002823

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

243 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 243 of them, burning about 1,989 acres. 5 started naturally and 20 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning72
Missing data/not specified/undetermined38
Equipment and vehicle use35
Railroad operations and maintenance29
Recreation and ceremony28
Arson/incendiarism20
Smoking10
Misuse of fire by a minor5
Natural5
Power generation/transmission/distribution1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. One of them was set deliberately.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
9 April 1994Recreation and ceremony289 acresMichigan Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
9 April 1994Debris and open burning253 acresMichigan Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
19 May 1995Arson/incendiarism202 acresMichigan Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
14 May 2015Recreation and ceremony98 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesARENAC 09 - GROVER FIRE
9 April 1994Smoking65 acresMichigan Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
18 May 1996Recreation and ceremony55 acresMichigan Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
28 April 2003Debris and open burning52 acresMichigan Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
22 March 1996Debris and open burning37 acresMichigan Department of Natural Resourcesnot named

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1957 to 2025

60 of 121 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 121 reports for this county, causing no deaths, 10 injuries and about $5,424,000 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind55
Hail45
Tornado9
Flood8
Flash Flood2
Funnel Cloud1
Lightning1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
May 2012Thunderstorm WindOmer4 hurt, $27,000A large tree fell onto two RV's at the Big Bend Campground on Conrad Rd, near Omer. One RV was destroyed, the other suffered only minor damage. Four campers inside one of the trailers were injured, thankfully none of them seriously.
April 1993Tornado (F2)not stated3 hurt, $50,000A tornado touched down in Alger in extreme northwest Arenac County around 1822 EST. The tornado moved northeast and lifted briefly after crossing Highway M-33. The tornado touched down with greater strength just before crossing into Ogemaw County where the Rifle River crosses the Ogemaw/Arenac County line. The tornado then moved into Mills Township/Skidway Lake through a subdivision comprised mainly of mobile homes and cottages, reaching F2 strength. It lifted briefly, about 0.75 mile northeast of the river, then touched down again and traveled another 6 miles, moving out of dense woods and into mostly open fields. A total of 17 mobile homes, 3 homes or cottages, 7 travel trailers, 4 garages, a barn, and 3 vehicles were destroyed or badly damaged. Six people, in 3 of the mobile homes that were completely destroyed were warned by the approaching roar, and in each case, took some action that ultimately saved their lives. Three were hospitalized with injuries. The tornado lifted just west of Prescott. Tree and power line damage occurred with the tornado itself, and up to 0.1 mile either side of the tornado path. Structure damage and personal property loss in Ogemaw County is estimated at around $250,000, with another $110,000 in tree damage or loss.
July 1977Tornado (F2)not stated1 hurt, $250,000no account filed
July 1977Tornado (F1)not stated1 hurt, $25,000no account filed
July 1997Tornado (F1)Au Gres1 hurtThe tornado touched down several miles south of Au Gres and then tracked northward into Au Gres where it dissipated. Three homes were destroyed and several others damaged to varying degrees. This was a strong F1 tornado.
May 2020FloodAlger$4,400,000Widespread areal flooding developed on the 18th, and persisted for several days. Most creeks and rivers in Arenac County rose out of their banks. Many roads across the county were closed at various times, including M-13 south of Standish. The Rifle River near Sterling reached a new record flood stage of 15.65 feet on the afternoon of the 19th. Some structures along the River River and Parmalee Creek were partially submerged. The Forest Lake area was evacuated due to rising water. Hundreds of homes were flooded in the Standish area. Flooding along the Lake Huron coastline was worsened by lakeshore flooding thanks to onshore winds.
August 2018Thunderstorm WindSterling$75,000Four homes suffered wind damage, with roofing and windows damaged by fallen trees.
August 2018Tornado (EF1)Au Gres Arpt$70,000A tornado with estimated maximum winds of 100 mph briefly touched down a couple of miles south of Au Gres, and just west of the Point Au Gres Campground. The tornado lifted near near the Lake Huron shoreline. Dozens of mature hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted. An RV at the campground was destroyed by fallen trees. One person was briefly trapped, but was not injured.
August 1993Thunderstorm WindFerry$50,000Numerous trees and power lines were blown down at Worth and Armstrong roads.
August 2018Tornado (EF0)Sterling$45,000A tornado with estimated maximum winds of 85 mph briefly touched down along the Rifle River, about 4 miles northeast of Sterling. A number of hardwood and softwood trees were knocked over or snapped, damaging a few structures in the process.
May 2013Thunderstorm WindSterling$45,000Trees were downed in Sterling, while the roof was blown off of a home in Standish.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindSterling$34,000Trees and power lines were downed. A pickup truck was damaged by falling trees. A large barn roof was ripped off, and was deposited onto a nearby residence.
June 2020Thunderstorm WindStandish$30,000Numerous trees and power lines were downed in multiple locations in and just east of Standish. Power lines were also downed in and on the east side of Omer.
May 2004Flash FloodSterling$22,000Old 76 was flooded in Sterling, and Kerr Road was washed out. Several culverts were heavily damaged.
August 2015Thunderstorm WindSterling$20,000Numerous trees were downed, some of which were left leaning against structures.
July 2018Thunderstorm WindMaple Ridge$18,000Numerous trees and power lines were downed in northern Arenac County.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindTwining$18,000Many trees and power lines were downed in eastern Arenac County.
November 2013Thunderstorm WindSterling$18,000Numerous trees were downed, knocking down utility lines as well. Old M-76 was closed for a period due to downed trees. Shingles were removed from several homes.
May 2011Thunderstorm WindMaple Ridge$16,000Fifteen to twenty-five large trees were snapped off or uprooted. A swing set was destroyed by a falling tree.
May 2018Thunderstorm WindSterling$15,000Numerous trees were blown down.
March 2007FloodAlger$15,000The Rifle River near Sterling crested early on the morning of the 22nd at around 9.5 feet, above the estimated flood stage of 8 feet. The Au Gres River also rose out of its banks. A number of road closures resulted across the county, including parts of Santiago Road, Twining Road, Mackinaw Road, Hammel Beach Road, Court Street, Thaut Road, and Bessinger Road.
July 2007Tornado (EF0)Standish City Arpt$15,000Tornado touched down just west of Wolfe Road, slightly more than half a mile north of US-23. The tornado tracked southeast, crossing Wolfe Road and lifting at US-23 north of Wyatt Road. The roof was peeled off of a mobile home, and deposited in the backyard. A couple of trees were downed, and a distinct path was carved in a nearby corn field.
March 2006FloodSterling$15,000no account filed
July 2025Thunderstorm WindAlger$14,000Social media post from Alger Area Firefighter Station 15 to avoid Maple Ridge Rd between Melita Rd and M-33 due to downed trees, in the vicinity of Skidway Lake and Prescott. Additional reports of damage in the Forest Lake and north Clayton Twp/Mills Twp area. Comments also included a photo of a healthy fallen tree on top of a late-model SUV on a road.
July 2005Thunderstorm WindTwining$12,000A number of trees were downed, with some damage to agricultural outbuildings.
August 2015HailSterling$10,000Some vehicles were damaged by golfball-sized hail.
July 2010Thunderstorm WindSterling$10,000Scattered trees were uprooted or snapped off in Sterling. Two light poles were downed at a gas station.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindSterling$10,000Many trees and power lines were downed.
March 2007FloodSterling$10,000The Rifle River near Sterling crested at 9.6 feet, above the estimated flood stage of 8 feet. In Clayton Township, water encroached on North and Main Roads, and near Town Line and Dobler Roads. In Standish Township, high water impacted Foco and Palmer Roads, and Arenac State Road just north of Worth Road.
May 2004Thunderstorm WindStandish$10,000no account filed
July 2016Thunderstorm WindStandish City Arpt$9,000Several trees and power lines were downed just north and northeast of Standish.
August 2021Thunderstorm WindAlger$8,000Multiple reports of trees and powerlines down throughout the county. Roof blown off of a barn as well.
July 2007Thunderstorm WindSterling$8,000Trees and power lines were downed.
June 2020Thunderstorm WindSterling$7,000Trees and power lines were downed in Sterling. Some driveways were blocked by fallen trees.
July 2013Thunderstorm WindSantiago$6,000Six large trees were downed near US-23 and Twining Road.
June 2007FloodStandish$6,000Sterling Road was closed between Grove Street and US-23, due to substantial soil erosion in the roadbed. Water also inundated part of US-23 near Foco Road.
August 2015Thunderstorm WindOmer$5,000Scattered trees and power lines were downed.
November 2013Thunderstorm WindMaple Ridge$5,000Several large trees were downed.
May 2013Thunderstorm WindTwining$4,000Trees were downed.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindTurner$4,000Trees downed along Turner Road.
April 2022Thunderstorm WindOmer$3,000Arenac county dispatch reported trees down near Omer. Time estimated via radar.
July 2010Thunderstorm WindMaple Ridge$3,000A number of power poles were downed in the north end of Arenac County.
July 2010Thunderstorm WindMaple Ridge$3,000Trees and power lines were downed.
July 2010Thunderstorm WindSantiago$2,000Trees were downed in the Delano area.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindAu Gres$1,000Numerous reports of tree limbs downed around Au Gres. Time estimated by radar.
July 2010LightningStandish$500Lightning struck near the Arenac County Central Dispatch center. Radios and other equipment were temporarily disabled.
August 2008Thunderstorm WindArenac$500Numerous large tree limbs were downed. The storm also produced pea sized hail.
August 2024Thunderstorm WindTwining-County dispatch reports numerous downed trees, limbs, and power lines with extensive power outages across the county as a result of damaging thunderstorm winds.
July 2024Thunderstorm WindOmer-Strong downburst thunderstorm winds downed several trees in the Omer area, resulting in power outages.
July 2024HailSterling-Social media report relayed by WFO GRR.
August 2023HailAu Gres Arpt-Report on social media showing 2 inch hail stones.
May 2022HailMaple Ridge-Report of 1 inch hail.
September 2022HailStandish-Half dollar sized hail called in from public source.
August 2021Thunderstorm WindMaple Ridge-Emergency manager estimates 60 mph wind gusts.
June 2008Funnel CloudAu Gres-Multiple reports of a funnel cloud near Au Gres.
August 2004Thunderstorm WindAu Gres-Numerous trees were downed.
August 2004Thunderstorm WindTurner-Trees were downed.
July 2002Thunderstorm WindAu Gres-Trees down.
September 2002Thunderstorm WindAlger-A few trees down.
August 2001HailStandish-Scattered strong to severe storms developed along a cold front.

Mines and quarries

15 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 15 workings inside this county. 5 still produce and 10 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Stone, Crushed/Broken7
Granite4
Clay3
Sand and Gravel, Construction1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Eastman Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Cook Brick Co Clay PitClayPast Producer
Mk Perlberg Clay PitClayPast Producer
Unnamed Clay PitClayPast Producer
Duck Lake Limestone QuarryGranitePast Producer
M.J.Griffin Limestone QuarryGranitePast Producer
Mc Donnell Limestone QuarryGranitePast Producer
Pt.Au Gres Limestone QuarryGranitePast Producer
Arenac Co Pit # 1 Re GlancyStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Arenac Pit-Bessinger Co Rd CommStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
C & D QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Glancy Quarry & MillStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Iosco Co Limestone QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Omsted Building Stone QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Van Dusen Stone CoStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer

Every populated place in the county

26

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.