Consumers Energy in the Homestretch in Restoration Efforts

A lineman works on restoration efforts.  Consumers Energy photo.

(August 31, 2022 10:01 PM) Consumers Energy is in the homestretch of restoration efforts after getting the lights back on for more than 90 percent of customers impacted by Monday’s severe thunderstorms. Crews will continue to work through the night and into the morning Thursday to safely bring back power for the remainder of those experiencing outages.

In Jackson County, 5,222 customers remain without power as of 10 PM Wednesday.

“On behalf of our crews in the field replacing broken poles and restringing wires, to employees providing crews logistical and equipment support, to our engineers, planners and management, I want to thank those we are honored to serve: our customers,” said Greg Salisbury, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge for the storm event. “As we enter the homestretch of restoration work for this storm, we want to take the opportunity to say we appreciate the patience demonstrated by our valued customers.”

More than 185,000 customers were impacted by Monday’s thunderstorms and 70 mph winds, and after two days of restoration efforts, approximately 17,000 customers are experiencing outages as of Wednesday evening. The storm caused damage across 37 counties in Consumers Energy’s service territory, knocking down trees, limbs, and more than 2,000 power lines. Crews found significant damage across the state during restoration efforts.

Even though restoration work is almost complete, Salisbury reminded the public to continue looking out for potentially deadly downed power lines. He urged people to stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines, keep children and pets away, and report the issue by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050.

Consumers Energy also urges the public to keep these important safety tips in mind:

• Be alert to crews working along roads. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they safely can go past workers on roadsides.
• Call 2-1-1 if you are looking for help connecting to resources that offer assistance in your community. 2-1-1 is a free statewide service.
• 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, clean-up 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.

To support customers affected by the storm, Consumers Energy provided relief efforts in several especially hard-hit communities. Earlier today in Jackson, Consumers Energy representatives handed out ice and water, and in Battle Creek, they provided ice cream to residents.

Customers can report an outage and check the status of outage by visiting www.ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter. They can also sign up to get outage alerts and restoration times sent to a phone, email or text message, Text ‘REG’ to 232273 or visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/alerts.