Monthly Archives: February 2023

A downed tree on West Michigan Avenue near Robinson Road.  JTV photo. (February 23, 2023 11:58 AM)  Consumers Energy has restored more than 21,000 customers after an ice storm caused extensive damage across the state Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The company continues to evaluate the damage this morning as more than 300 crews mobilize to restore power. “We are responding to the damage caused by this storm with an all-hands-on-deck effort to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible,” said Melissa Gleespen, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge for the event. “We understand how frustrating a power outage can be, and we are grateful for our customers’ patience and understanding as our crews work deliberately to get the lights back on.” About a half-inch of ice – equivalent to the weight of a baby grand piano – covered Michigan’s southern counties, resulting in more than 5,700 downed wires and more than 215,000 outages.  Consumers Energy says it is closely monitoring the forecasts for strong wind gusts and tree branches moving as ice melts, which could cause further damage. In Jackson County, 44,058 customers remain without power this morning.  196,000 Consumers customers statewide are without power.  In…

(February 23, 2023 8:45 AM) With the snow and freezing rain moving east, Consumers Energy continues to assess the extent of the damage from Wednesday’s winter storm and deploy crews for restoration work in the most impacted portions of the state. While some crews have begun restoration work already, the company has more than 300 crews mobilized and ready to begin an all-hands-on-deck restoration process once it is safe for all crews to be deployed. More than 190,000 customers are currently impacted.  In  Southeast Michigan, DTE Energy reports more than 460,000 customers are without power. Consumers reports the Jackson area was among the most impacted.  As of 8:45 AM, 47,652 Jackson County customers are without power.  In Hillsdale County, 91% of Consumers Energy customers are without power and in Lenawee County, 67% of customers are affected. “Now that the ice and freezing rain have largely passed, we’ve got boots fully on the ground assessing damage and determining where and when to send our crews,” said Norm Kapala, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge for the event. “Our focus continues to be restoring power as quickly as possible, and we’re doing everything we can to ensure our customers and our…

A downed tree limb and wires in a Jackson neighborhood.  JTV photo. (February 22, 2023 9:41 PM)  Consumers Energy said tonight it continues to monitor and track the major winter storm moving through the state and crews have begun restoration work.  Consumers urges customers to be cautious and patient as the number of downed wires and outages increases. Consumers has more than 300 crews mobilized and ready to begin an all-hands-on-deck restoration process once it is safe for all crews to be deployed. More than 160,000 customers are currently impacted.  More than 207,000 DTE Energy customers are without power this evening. As of 9:40 PM, more than 35,000 Jackson County customers are without power. The Ice Storm Warning remains in effect until 4 AM Thursday.  The National Weather Service is forecasting total nighttime ice accumulation of around a 0.4 of an inch possible. Total nighttime sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible. The City of Jackson has declared a WEATHER EMERGENCY: The City is responding to various emergencies created by Wednesday night’s winter storm. Authorities urge residents to please stay indoors and not travel. Road conditions plus downed wires and trees are making driving conditions very dangerous and…

The Mechanic Street bridge during construction in November 2022.  MDOT photo. (February 22, 2023 4:29 PM) The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will close Mechanic Street to resume improvements around a railroad bridge. This work is part of the Jackson Railroad Bridges Replacement Project to replace two century-old railroad bridges over Jackson and Mechanic streets. The project also includes replacement of the railroad grade crossing at Blackstone Street.   The bridges are on a segment of railroad owned by MDOT within the federally designated high-speed rail corridor between Chicago and Detroit/Pontiac, supporting Amtrak passenger service and Norfolk Southern freight trains. The $32.9 million project is estimated to be completed in October 2023.   Mechanic Street will close to traffic on Feb. 27 and Blackstone Street will close in early April. Jackson Street will remain open until the railroad bridges are replaced in August. Detroit and Van Buren streets will remain closed through the end of the project. Motorists should follow the posted detours.