A high wind warning remains in effect for all of southeast Michigan until 10 p.m. Friday, March 13, as a powerful storm system brings damaging wind gusts across the region, according to the National Weather Service.
“We just had our peak winds move through Ann Arbor and Detroit areas in the last hour or two. We have wind gusts of 65 to 70 miles per hour,” said Meteorologist Steven Freitag with the National Weather Service’s White Lake office.
While the warning calls for southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts around 60 mph, some areas have seen wind gusts around 70 mph. Winds are expected to become west later in the afternoon with isolated gusts up to 65 mph, according to the NWS.
Trash bins, chairs, other outdoor items and debris have been blown around. Fallen trees have blocked roads and damaged property and vehicles.
The NWS warned that the damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines and lead to widespread power outages. Travel may also be difficult.
In Troy, powerful winds toppled a Shell gas station canopy at the corner of Long Lake and Dequindre roads, Sgt. John Julian of the Troy Police Department said. No injuries were reported. Neither Troy fire nor police had to respond to the scene.
Police received calls from passersby. Julian told the Free Press that the owner said the situation was being handled already.
Meanwhile, the Detroit People Mover suspended its service for the rest of the day on Friday due to the strong winds.
“Maintenance teams are currently conducting full inspections and clearing the track while assessing both the guideway and vehicles,” the Detroit People Mover wrote on Facebook. “Updates will be shared as soon as service can safely resume.”
Power outages
More than 55,000 Consumers Energy customers were without power as of 12:01 a.m. Saturday, the utility’s outage map shows. Consumers Energy said downed wires caused outages and that about 450 crews were mobilized statewide, though strong winds could slow restoration.
Over 92,000 DTE Energy customers were also without power as of 12:01 a.m., according to the utility’s outage center. DTE said winds with gusts exceeding 70 mph could cause additional outages and that more than 1,000 storm response workers were in the field. The utility urged residents to stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines and assume they are live.
The winds are being driven by a powerful low-pressure system spanning the Great Lakes, Freitag said. As the center of the system moves east later Friday and weakens overnight, conditions are expected to improve.
Scattered rain showers or quick-melting snow showers may occur through Friday evening before winds diminish overnight.
Weekend weather, into Monday
“Tomorrow will be a tranquil day as high pressure arrives,” the meteorologist said. “So big difference from today.”
Most of Saturday, very light winds are expected — around 15 mph, as well as partial sunshine and highs in the lower 40s.
Another storm system is forecast to develop over the western Great Lakes later in the weekend. Freitag said southeast Michigan could see a brief period of snow Saturday night as a warm front moves through. Accumulation is expected mainly around Flint, Saginaw and the Thumb, where 1 to 4 inches are possible.
By Sunday morning, the possible snow should change to rain as temperatures rise. The day is expected to be mostly cloudy with highs in the low to mid-60s, according to NWS. While much of the day may remain dry, a chance of light rain is possible. Sunday winds could become breezy, reaching 30 to 40 mph.
A heavier round of rain is possible Sunday night into Monday morning, when the region could receive between a half inch and 1 inch of rainfall. That could cause minor flooding in low-lying areas in southeast Michigan.
Strong winds could return Monday as a cold front moves through, with gusts potentially reaching 45 to 50 mph, though Freitag said it is too early to determine whether they will be as strong as Friday’s winds.
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Power outages mount as strong winds hit southeast Michigan
Reporting by Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
