A violent storm system packing high winds, lightning and hail has rolled across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula causing widespread electric outages to Consumers Energy customers. A second wave of storms is anticipated later today bringing with it the possibility of additional power outages for Consumers Energy customers throughout the state.
As of 8 a.m. today, more than 155,000 customers remained without service after the initial storm system as associated high winds, lightning strikes, flooding rains and hail uprooted trees, brought down hundreds of electric lines and caused equipment damage in many areas.
Communities affected in the Jackson area include Parma, Rives, Albion, Napoleon, Jackson and Brooklyn.
The unstable weather and approaching storm caused the cancellation of balloon launches and the Night Glow scheduled Friday evening at the Hot Air Jubilee.
“This series of storms has caused widespread outages, and additional storm activity throughout the weekend could cause additional damage and outages,” said Guy Packard, vice president of electric operations for Consumers Energy. “Our crews are working around the clock to restore service to our customers, but this will be a multi-day restoration effort.”
“We encourage those affected by the storm to seek alternative ways of staying cool during the extreme temperatures our state is experiencing, including staying hydrated and visiting cooling shelters if needed, a list of which is available by calling 2-1-1. We also appreciate friends, family and neighbors checking on one another, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, during this time,” Packard said.
More than 420 downed wires have been attributed to the storm so far. Packard urged customers and the general public to stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines, keep children or pets away, and report the issue by calling 9-1-1 or Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050.
“Our number one focus is to keep the public, our customers and our employee and contractor crews safe as we work 16-hour days to assist us in our restoration efforts. We know how frustrating it is to not have electric service, and we won’t stop until all of our neighbors have power,” Packard said.
Consumers Energy urges the public to keep these important safety tips in mind:
- Call 2-1-1 if you are looking for help connecting to temporary shelter or other 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.
- Be alert to utility 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.
- 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 which holds the electric service wires to a customer’s 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.
Consumers Energy customers can 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.
Customers can also report an outage and check the status of an outage by visiting www.ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter.