HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) — More than 100,00 Consumers Power customers lost power during Tuesday night’s storms that swept through Lower Michigan. This was on top of around 100,000 affected by Sunday night’s storms. The Jackson-based utility
“It is expected to be end of day Friday before all customers are restored. Additional storms, which are expected overnight, may lengthen restoration times,” Consumers officials wrote in an email sent to media.
Meanwhile, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative officials say that 5,259 total customers in Allegan/Ottawa counties were among more than 27,400 customers in the Lower Michigan service region affected by these storms — nearly 25 percent of its customers across the state. Repair crews were called in to rest overnight after working all day to restore power from Sunday’s storms, and are expected back out in the field on Wednesday morning.
Great Lakes Energy officials used Facebook to alert customers after the storm damage reduced its phone system by half — those services were restored before midnight, but, like Consumers, the utility asked for patience as crews worked to assess damages and restores services.
If you see a downed wire, please stay at least 25 feet away from it, and anything it is touching. Once you’re safe, call 9-1-1. Consumer customers can then call 800-477-5050. Great Lakes Engery customers should call (888) 485-2537.
To get direct updates from Consumers Energy, text REG to 232273.
Safety tips in the event of outages:
- Keep batteries and flashlights nearby — skip candles and avoid the fire hazard.
- Keep the fridge closed to preserve food as long as possible.
- Keep at least one light switched on, so you know when power is restored.
- Limit phone calls during storms to help keep lines clear for emergency traffic.
- Avoid driving during severe storms. If you must drive, don’t go over water-covered bridges, as it’s impossible to know how deep the water is, or whether the road below has been damaged by the water.
- 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.
- Operating a generator may produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas. Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement or near any air intakes, and never fuel a generator when it is running.
-Team coverage by Gary Stevens and Peg McNichol
Consumers Energy is urging patience as it works to assess the damage and make repairs as safely, but quickly, as possible.
“As we restored power earlier Tuesday, we were anticipating this storm and making sure workers and equipment were in place to respond,” said Tim Sparks, Consumers Energy vice president of electric grid integration. “We will work safely around the clock until every customer is restored.”
It is expected to be end of day Friday before all customers are restored. Additional storms, which are expected overnight, may lengthen restoration times. To view specific counties and regions most affected by electric interruptions, please visit: https://www.ConsumersEnergy.com/outagemap.
From damage assessors to lineworkers and call center representatives, more than 1,500 Consumers Energy employees and contractors are involved with the restoration effort.
Consumers Energy urges the public to keep these safety tips in mind:
