Monthly Archives: February 2023

(February 24, 2023 11:52 AM) Consumers Energy’s president and CEO thanked customers for their patience this morning as over 500 crews from Michigan and four other states continued their round-the-clock work to restore power after this week’s devastating Michigan ice storm. As of 11 a.m., crews have restored power to nearly one third of some 250,000 affected homes and businesses.  Approximately 15,000 Jackson County customers have been restored, 44,279 remain without power as of late this morning.  “I want to thank those customers who were impacted by this ice storm. Power outages are certainly frustrating, and I appreciate and thank you for your patience,” said President and CEO Garrick Rochow. “We have all hands on deck for this restoration effort. That means we have over 500 crews, or more than 1,500 people, in the field, supported by hundreds of people behind the scenes working to restore customers.” Crews from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Virginia are part of the restoration effort, moving across southern Michigan communities that were blanketed with up to a half-inch of ice. Consumers Energy also will be starting helicopter inspections today to assess damage, including 8,000-plus downed wires, in the hardest-hit areas. VIDEO: Consumers Energy’s president and…

A Consumers Energy lineman works on restoration.  Consumers Energy photo. (February 23, 2023 10:15 PM)  Consumers Energy’s late Thursday report states that crews continue to make progress restoring power to over 47,000 homes and businesses affected by this week’s powerful ice storm, with 197,000 remaining. In Jackson County, 43,754 customers remain without power as of 10 PM Thursday. “We appreciate the patience of our customers as our crews work to restore power,” said Norm Kapala, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge for the event. “Over 450 crews, including mutual assistance from four other states, will continue to work through the night as they clean up nearly 8,000 downed wires and other debris blanketing the southern part of Michigan.” Based on current assessments, a majority of affected customers should be restored by Sunday. Restoration work should continue and be largely complete by the end of the day Monday. Consumers Energy shared today that about 110 crews from four states will be joining Consumers Energy’s restoration effort, speeding up the pace of work to serve customers. About a half-inch of ice – equivalent to the weight of a baby grand piano on a power line – covered Michigan’s southern counties, resulting…

Downed lines and branches in Vandercook Lake area this morning.  JTV photo. (February 23, 2023 4:13 PM) Consumers Energy and DTE Energy said today it will be several days before all power is restored to more than 700,000 customers state-wide following this week’s ice storm. Consumers Energy crews are making progress this afternoon as part of the push to restore power to over 237,000 homes and businesses affected by this week’s powerful ice storm. Over 450 crews will be involved in around-the-clock work, including lineworkers from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia “Mother Nature delivered a powerful punch this week with over a half-inch of heavy ice. Consumers Energy is committed to getting the lights back on for all of our neighbors and friends,” said Melissa Gleespen, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge for the event. “Despite winds and other unfavorable weather continuing today, our crews are making progress and will be working through the night.” In Jackson County, one of the hardest hit areas, 46,687 customers, nearly 60% of the county, are without power as of 4 PM today. DTE Energy Co. reported that 504,000 of its customers are without power as of this afternoon following the downing of…