Consumers Energy prioritizes restoration and community support in Northern Michigan | News, Sports, Jobs
MICHIGAN — In a press release on Thursday, Consumers Energy announced its continued focus on restoration efforts in northern Michigan, where Sunday’s winter storm caused widespread outages, equipment damage, and downed power lines.
Since Sunday, Consumers Energy has restored power to 206,000 customers, according to the release. With more than 750 crews staged across the hard-hit region, work continued around the clock to repair infrastructure and return power to every customer and business.
The company also stated that it was continuing to provide community support and prioritizing the needs of its customers.
On Thursday, Consumers Energy delivered water in Cadillac, West Branch, and Harrisville. The company also provided about 375 free meals to the community at the Roscommon County Building and Courthouse.
“Our crews remain fully committed to the continued restoration efforts across Northern Michigan. This work goes beyond restoring power. It reaches into the communities and people we serve. This means showing up in real time and delivering real support,” Norm Kapala, vice president of grid operations, said in the release. “Our customers can count on us to be there in the moments where it matters most.”
According to the release, the National Weather Service forecast predicted thawing ice as temperatures climbed above freezing on Thursday. The company stated that there was a possibility that the thaw could create more outages as tree limbs sway and snap suddenly. Crews were prepped to work 16-hour shifts until power is completely restored.
“We understand power outages are more than an inconvenience,” Kapala said in the release. “We are listening, we are present, and we will continue to support the communities and customers that rely on us.”
Consumers Energy advised its customers who remain without power to locate a warming center in their area.
Consumers Energy also urged the public to keep 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 can go safely past.
– Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines, and report unguarded downed lines by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Consumers Energy reminded people that falsely calling in downed lines actually slows down the restoration process for everyone.
– 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.
– Consumers Energy will trim or remove trees interfering with electric restoration activities. Once safe to do so, cleanup 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.
