Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse

On Saturday, August 9, 2025, at approximately 4pm, a severe summer storm smashed into northern Door County, WI, with straight line winds in excess of 70mph.

The brief but intense storm forced the evacuation of the Cana Island Lighthouse by 20 visitors and staff members. The storm downed so many trees and utility poles along the route to the lighthouse that the 20 people were trapped in the Cana Island parking lot until after 11pm, when local rescue teams were able to cut through the debris and get them safely out of the area.

Thankfully, no one was injured during the storm, and no historic structures of the Cana Island Lightstation suffered any damage.

There was damage to the roof of the Cana Island Welcome & Interpretive Center, which opened in 2020. Damage estimates are still being assessed.

The main impact on Cana Island was the loss of dozens of trees, which necessitated closing the island to the public while Door County Parks employees, Door County Maritime Museum staff and volunteers (including several members of the Marine Safety Unit of the United States Coast Guard from Sturgeon Bay) cleared downed trees, and made the site safe for guests to return.

With Cana Island closed in response to the massive cleanup effort - in the height of the busy Door County summer tourism season - it is estimated that the Door County Maritime Museum and Door County Parks are losing an estimated $7,000-$10,000 per day in revenue - money that goes directly towards the management, operations, restoration and preservation of this historic landmark (one of eleven lighthouses that circle the coast of Door County).

Any amount that you can contribute will help offset the cleanup costs, and go towards the long-term preservation of one of Wisconsin's most iconic locations.