Crews have restored power to over 100,000 people, according to Consumers Energy—but as of Tuesday morning, nearly 90,000 people are still waking up in the dark.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Hundreds of Consumers Energy crews are still working to get the lights on following an intense winter storm in northern Michigan.
The storm brought heavy snow, high winds and ice to much of the upper Lower Peninsula, leaving thousands without power. Utility crews have restored power to over 100,000 people, according to Consumers Energy—but as of Tuesday morning, nearly 90,000 people are still waking up in the dark.
Wexford, Lake, Osceola, Crawford, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Alcona, Manistee, Benzie and Missaukee counties were hit hardest by the storm.
More than 700 crews worked throughout Monday night into Tuesday to assess damage, restore power and secure the power grid, Consumers Energy said. That work will continue Tuesday.
“Our crews worked tirelessly during challenging weather conditions to restore service as quickly and as safely as possible,” said Norman Kapala, Vice President of Grid Operations. “While we have more work ahead of us, we appreciate the patience of our customers as we work to bring power back to homes and businesses across Michigan.”
You can check the status of power outages, complete with an up-to-date estimated restoration time, online here.
Consumers Energy is encouraging Michiganders to follow these tips:
- Be alert to crews working along roads. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they can go safely past.
- Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines, and report unguarded downed lines by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Consumers Energy reminds people that falsely calling in downed lines actually slows down the restoration process for everyone.
- Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement, enclosed patio or near any air intakes. Doing so could cause a generator to produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas. Read more guidance on safe generator use here.
- Consumers Energy will trim or remove trees interfering with electric restoration activities. Once safe to do so, cleanup of debris from tree trimming or removal during a storm emergency is the responsibility of individual property owners.
- In some cases, the mast that holds the electric service wires to a home or business may have been damaged or torn away. Crews will reconnect the wires to a home, but only a licensed electrician can repair or replace a mast or a cable.