Monthly Archives: March 2017

Improving weather conditions are assisting Consumers Energy in restoring more than 300,000 customers left without power during two days of high winds across Michigan. Consumers Energy crews have been working around the clock to help restore more than 319,000 customers left without power during two days of high winds across Michigan. As of 11 a.m. today, 178,000 customers were still without power after winds in excess of 60 mph blew through the state. Since Tuesday afternoon, 319,000 customers have been affected in the high winds that took down 7,900 wires and broke more than 1,000 poles. Because of the storm’s duration and statewide impact, some customers in the worst impacted areas may not have power restored until Sunday.  The National Weather Service is forcasting colder temperatures in the mid-thirties for today with light winds of 6 to 8 miles per hour.  Blustery conditions will return on Friday. A number of area businesses will remain closed today, including restaurants, retailers, manufacturers and offices. Area school closings as of 6:30am today include: Columbia da Vinci Institute - Parent conferences at the primary campus will be held Jackson Christian Jackson College -- Maher (North) Campus only Lumen Christi Catholic School Napoleon -- including…

Uprooted tree at Nixon Park (JTV photo) Sustained high winds and powerful gusts Tuesday and Wednesday have more than 212,000 Consumers Energy customers experiencing an interruption in electric service this evening. Since Tuesday morning, more than 260,000 customers have been affected by downed trees and power lines due to high winds, some in excess of 60 mph. In the Jackson area, it is estimated that more than 18,000 customers lost power during the storm.  Many businesses were forced to close due to no power, including Westwood Mall and Wal-Mart.   Several school activities, including district basketball tournaments in Mason were postponed.   In terms of outages in the Consumers Energy service area, Kent County was hardest hit, followed by Jackson County.  Because of the storm’s duration and statewide impact, some customers in the worst impacted areas may not have power restored until Sunday.  On the Consumers outage map, estimates for restoration for most of Jackson County are Saturday night. The National Weather Service is forecasting winds to die down following sunset.  By daybreak Thursday, westerly winds of 5 to 15 mph are expected. “Safety for our customers and employees is our top priority as we work throughout a vast swath of…