Mackinac Island Struggles To Prepare For Tourism After Ice Storm

The recent ice storm that crippled Michigan's Upper Peninsula and much of the Lower Peninsula wreaked havoc on Mackinac Island. Now the clock is running to make repairs and clear damaged caused my Mother Nature's recent wrath.

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The damage to the island is so bad the Michigan National Guard and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent in crews to help with the clean up efforts which are now in progress.

As not only a state treasure, but also a national treasure, Mackinac Island is loaded with rich stories, astounding history and dare I say... the best fudge in the world! The only motorized vehicles permitted to operate on the island are emergency vehicles like police cars, fire trucks and ambulances.

I took part in documenting the reconstruction of the Esther Williams Pool at The Grand Hotel a few years back and the logistics are overwhelming. You can take a snowmobile virtually anywhere on the island, but if you need to move heavy equipment it must be dome with a special permit or by horse-drawn carriage.

So the logistics of getting crews to the island has been mind boggling. In fact the crews from the National Guard and DNR along with electric crews to restore power were taken to the island on a barge.

So when the ice storm ravaged Michigan it did a number on Mackinac Island.  There are over 70 miles of walking paths and 'roadways' on the island that are covered in ice and debris. Downtown has reopened after strenuous work, but most of the island is still impassable to pedestrians and horses alike.

People are coming together to make sure that the island is ready for it's busiest season which starts in mere weeks.