80's Flashback / The Erie Mini Tsunmi

Maybe others were there at the time who could make some comments but it was truely a once in a lifetime event ! I don't remember exact dates but it went down like this............................................
It was in the 80' s around the month of October we arrived at Trout Run at 5 am. It was a dead calm lake with lighting flashing way out toward the Canadian side of Lake Erie. The shore was lit up with lanterns from all the fishermen along Trout Run. We had wading out into about waist high water hoping to get into the early morning Salmon and Steelhead bite. At about a half hour before sunrise we noticed a strong current pushing against us and we began to back pedal . It was like standing in a strong river current and it was rising fast! We actually starting running toward the shore with the current pushing us faster. Suddenly the whole beach was pitch black as all the lanterns were snuffed out in a instant. There was hollering and yelling as total confusion spread with the rising water. We ending up all the way into some bushes and trees that are about a 75 yards or so from the shore. I turned and looked toward the Marina that borders the creek and could see by the only light still on that the lake water was spilling over the side wall! The water was pouring over the corner section like a waterfall! Trout Run tributary was actually flowing upstream. Then just about as fast it all receded taking everything from the shore out into the lake. There were coolers, lanterns, tackle boxes, sleeping bags all floating in the lake. As it got light some people were able to get some of their gear back but most lost out. I helped a guy out from Pittsburg by luckily finding his car keys buried in the sand. Nobody got hurt and we couldn't figure this mini tsunami out. I had heard a few weeks later (no internet in those days) that there had been a small earthquake in the Lake Erie area. That would explain the whole crazy incident.  

This may explain what happened:
http://www.geo.msu.edu/geogmich/seiches.htm

Fantastic report. Very good read.

Makes sense. Lightning seen on the Canadian shore. There is your storm.