As utility crews worked through harsh conditions, thousands of Michigan residents experienced power outages over the holiday weekend due to a persistent ice storm. DTE Energy reported last night that more than 14,000 people in Southeast Michigan were without electricity, with Oakland County particularly affected, leaving roughly 5,000 residents in the dark. CBS News Detroit noted that the outages were caused by ice buildup on power lines.
In another area affected by the storm, Mid-Michigan saw over 24,000 Consumers Energy customers lose power due to freezing rain and severe weather, according to MLive. Nearly 500 crews were deployed across the state, working overnight to restore electricity by today. While immediate efforts focused on restoration, another storm is forecast for early next week, with winds expected to exceed 50 mph, prompting the utility company to begin preparations.
Further west, Mecosta County experienced widespread power outages as freezing rain from the storm added weight to power lines. A spokesperson told WOOD-TV that nearly all service was expected to be restored by sunrise the following day.
Authorities advised residents to stay clear of work crews and downed power lines during ongoing restoration efforts. Residents were also reminded to follow generator safety guidelines to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, especially when using devices in enclosed areas or near air intakes.
