Crashing waves pound the autumn-hued North Shore of Lake Superior, Minnesota, as a strong storm sweeps through the area.

In the footage, the waves unrelentingly batter the cliffs and heavy winds disperse a dense layer of mist over the surrounding trees.

"We witnessed 20+ foot waves," said the filmer. "Sustained winds topped 45 mph, and a wind gust of 86 mph was recorded near our shooting locations. (Hurricane force winds start at 74 mph.)"

Although Hurricane Michael hit the Florida Coast the same day, October 10, this was a separate storm. However, it is possible that the hurricane carried moisture or other storm features north as it approached the US.

The strong storm of October 10, 2018 wreaked havoc along the North Shore of Lake Superior. The waves were incredible, fierce, and unrelenting. We witnessed 20+ foot waves, sustained winds topped 45 mph, and a wind gust of 86 mph was recorded near our shooting locations. (Hurricane force winds start at 74 mph.) The abundant spray from the massive waves and strong winds reached far and wide. The cliffs in this video are likely 100 feet tall, and the spray exploded well beyond 200-300 feet upward from many waves. While this North Shore of Lake Superior is rugged basalt, the sections of shoreline with beaches suffered severe erosion, and parts of Duluth, Minnesota were badly damaged and flooded.

We have witnessed many wicked storms like this on the Great Lake Superior, but this one was the most severe and damaging to shorelines and areas of Duluth, Minnesota in recent memory. While these waves may look ocean-like, keep in mind this is a lake -- the largest freshwater lake in the world (by surface area). (see more facts below)

While this was the same day Hurricane Michael hit the Florida Coast, this was a separate storm. However, it's possible that the hurricane pushed moisture or other storm systems northward as it approached the U.S.

Video without watermark is available for certain types of licensing.

Facts about Lake Superior via Minnesota Sea Grant:

Physical Facts:

Surface Area: 31,700 mi2 (82,100 km2): The size of the state of Maine
Volume: Roughly 3-quadrillion gallons (2900 mi3 (12,100 km3)):
Enough to cover North and South America in one foot of water
Average Depth: 483 ft (147 m): About the distance between Lake Superior and Duluth's hilltop
Maximum Depth: 1,332 ft (406 m): The same as one lap around a standard track
Length: 350 mi (560 km): A drive from Two Harbors to Madison
Breadth: 160 mi (260 km): A drive from Duluth to Minneapolis
Shoreline Length: 1,826 mi (2,938 km): A drive from Duluth to Miami
Retention Time: 191 years: The average drop of water entered when Fort Snelling was a frontier outpost and Minneapolis didn't exist
Alternative Names: gichigami (Ojibwa), Lac Superieur (French), Gitche Gumee (from The Song of Hiawatha and The Wreck of the Edmunds Fitzgerald)

Lake Superior ...
- is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and the third largest by volume (Lake Baikal in Siberia and Lake Tanganyika in East Africa contain more water).
- could hold all the water in the other Great Lakes, plus THREE MORE Lake Eries.
- connects the heart of North America to a global economy.
- is remarkably clean and cold.
- is a geological newcomer (only about 10,000 years old).
- is exhibiting a trend in summer surface temperature. Per decade since 1980, surface water temperature in summer has increased about 2 °F (1 °C), while regional air temperature has increased 1 °F (0.5 °C).
- is managed through a binational agreement involving Canada and the - U.S., and by the Province of Ontario and the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
- has rip currents that are dangerous to swimmers.
- holds 10% of the world's fresh surface water that is not frozen in a glacier or ice cap.