Consumers Energy is deploying nearly 100 additional crews to help restore power across Michigan after ice, snow and heavy winds devastated parts of the state over the past 24 hours.
The additional crews will join more than 500 Michigan crews already working to address widespread outages. The utility has repositioned resources that were pre-staged in northern areas to the hardest-hit communities, bringing heavy-duty equipment to secure the electric grid and assess damage.
There are 118,000 homes and businesses without power across Michigan tonight. About 90,000 of those are Consumers custormers.
“Our responsibility in moments like this starts with safety,” said Jean Kang, one of Consumers Energy’s officers in charge for this storm response. “High winds and icy conditions create serious hazards, and our crews are working to secure the grid and protect the public. Our customers can count on us to do this work safely and reliably, even when conditions make it challenging.”
The company has stationed mobile command centers and an emergency response unit in Cadillac, Houghton Lake and Alcona County. Lineworkers will work 16-hour shifts around the clock to restore power in Northern Michigan and statewide.
High winds are expected to continue throughout the Lower Peninsula before tapering off tonight. Ice and snow have hindered travel throughout Northern Michigan.
Consumers Energy is urging residents in hard-hit communities to pay attention to travel advisories this week and limit travel when possible. Electric lineworkers and trucks will be operating along roads alongside police, fire departments and other first responders.
Customers can check outage status at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter. They can also sign up for outage alerts and restoration times by texting REG to 232273 or visiting www.ConsumersEnergy.com/alerts.
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