Powerful winds tip canoe trailer on Michigan’s Mackinac Bridge
A trooper sheltered the driver and his dog while a towing crew worked to get the trailer upright and safely across the bridge in gusty conditions.
Thankfully, no deaths were reported after a chain-reaction crash involving more than 60 vehicles along a bridge in South Carolina.
A strong gust of wind caused a canoe trailer to tip over on a popular Michigan bridge over the weekend.
A Michigan State Police trooper from the St. Ignace Post responded to the trailer, which had tipped over while crossing the Mackinac Bridge on Saturday, Oct. 17, just after 11 p.m. EDT. The wind caused the trailer to tip over and rest against the bridge railing on the northbound lanes, according to the Michigan State Police (MSP) Eighth District.
"The trooper helped keep the driver and his dog safe and warm inside the patrol car while waiting for more help to arrive," the MSP said in a post on X.
A strong gust of wind caused a canoe trailer to tip over on the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (Credit: Michigan State Police Eighth District via X)
George's Towing from St. Ignace then pulled the trailer onto the road without losing any of the canoes. To prevent the trailer from tipping again, the tow truck stayed attached as the trooper escorted everyone to the north side of the bridge. Everyone made it safely across.
The trailer was being pulled by a pickup truck and was carrying nine canoes. One canoe was blown off the trailer by the time the towing company arrived.
"Before the trooper had arrived on scene, one canoe had reportedly blown off the trailer," the MSP said. "Nice job by George’s Towing in getting the trailer upright and saving the remaining canoes."
The trailer was originally carrying nine canoes, but one reportedly blew off before the trooper arrived on scene. The remaining eight were saved. (Credit: Michigan State Police Eighth District via X)
Maximum winds at Mackinaw City on Saturday night were sustained at 26 mph, with 36-mph gusts. The Mackinac Bridge Authority also posted an advisory for sustained winds at 20-35 mph. High-profile vehicles, including RVs and trailers, were advised to slow to 20 mph while crossing the bridge, turn on their hazard lights and use the outside lane.
The Mackinac Bridge is located in northern Michigan and connects the state's upper and lower peninsulas, according to the Mackinac Bridge Authority. At 8,614 feet, it's the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere, and the structure is designed to move slowly in one direction based on the direction and force of the wind.
"It is possible that the deck at center span could move as much as 35 feet (east or west) due to high winds," according to the Mackinac Bridge Authority.
After the wind subsides, the weight of the crossing vehicles will slowly move it back to its center position.
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