The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Lakes_Storm_of_1913" id="mw4g" rel="mw:WikiLink" title="Great Lakes Storm of 1913">Great Lakes Storm of 1913</a>, the most destructive natural disaster ever to hit the lakes, reaches its greatest intensity after beginning two days earlier. The storm destroys 19 ships and kills more than 250 people.