Thousands of people are still without power after a winter storm hit the state on Monday, Dec. 29.
As of 5 p.m., Great Lakes Energy was reporting 352 active outages affecting 5,847 customers. Presque Isle Gas & Electric was reporting 15 active outages affecting 244 customers. Cloverland Electric Co-op was reporting 1,810 customers without power, including 674 in Chippewa County.
Utility crews were out working to restore power throughout the day, although it is expected that some outages may linger through the night.
In a 4 p.m. update, Great Lakes Energy said that members should make alternative plans for overnight accommodation if service is not restored by 11 p.m. They also noted that for residents with limited options, Michigan 2-1-1 is a local resource available to connect those in need with lodging, food or assistance.
According to the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association, the state’s member-owned co-ops reported nearly 33,000 outages as of 10 a.m., ranging from Marquette in the U.P. and across mid-Michigan.
“Michigan’s electric cooperatives are working diligently with mutual-aid partners from other states to restore service under winter conditions that include thick ice and high winds,” said John Kran, CEO of MECA, in a press release. “Our nonprofit co-ops provide power to residents and businesses spread across some of the hardest hit areas of the U.P. and western Michigan and they’re working round the clock to get the power on for their members.”
High wind speeds and heavy snow were affecting residents across Northern Michigan.
The Mackinac Bridge had a blowing snow warning in effect for much of the day, although conditions were reported as clear by 5 p.m.
Faith Fredrickson, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Gaylord, said it was “quite gusty” outside.
By mid-morning, most areas were reporting gusts in the 30-40 mph range, but some areas were seeing even higher numbers.
Fredrickson said the Charlevoix Municipal Airport reported a 51 mph gust, the Frankfort marina reported 61 mph and gusts of 72 mph were recored at the north end of the Soo Locks.
A sizable amount of snow accumulation was also occurring.
Fredrickson said most areas were reporting 3-5 inches so far on Monday morning, but the Traverse City region was seeing closer to 6-10 inches and St. Ignace had reported 11 inches.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
— Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Power outages pile up as wind, snow hit region
Reporting by Jillian Fellows, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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