Portland generally spared from Friday ice storm, but Monday may be another story

Consumers Energy crews are working to restore power to all Michigan customers affected by today’s ice storm by sunrise Saturday, while also starting preparations for high winds from another storm that will strike the state early next week.

“We appreciate the patience of our friends and neighbors while we clean up from today’s storm. We especially encourage people to be careful on ice-covered roads, and our crews will be taking every precaution to finish our work as quickly and safely as possible,” said Norm Kapala, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge for restoration.

Today’s storm delivered ice accumulations that most affected Michigan communities from Big Rapids to Mount Pleasant to Midland and Standish. Nearly 500 crews will continue working to restore power through the night.

Consumers Energy urges people to pay attention to travel advisories for icy roads. Customers can continue to check the status of outages at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter. They can also sign up for outage alerts and restoration times sent to a phone, email or text message, Text ‘REG' to 232273 or visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/alerts.

Separately, Consumers Energy is starting preparations for another storm Monday that could deliver winds greater than 50 mph. The energy provider will again place crews in position to respond to any outages through the day Monday.

“Michigan winters are rarely predictable, and Consumers Energy takes our responsibility seriously to restore power and be ready for the next storm,” Kapala said.

Consumers Energy urges the public to keep important safety tips in mind:

• Be alert to crews working along roadsides. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they can go safely past.

• Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines and report unguarded downed lines by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050.  Consumers Energy reminds people that falsely calling in downed lines actually slows down the restoration process for everyone.

• Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement, enclosed patio or near any air intakes. Doing so could cause a generator to produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas. Read more guidance on safe generator use here.

Consumers Energy will trim or remove trees interfering with electric restoration activities. Once safe to do so, clean-up of debris from tree trimming or removal during a storm emergency is the responsibility of individual property owners.

In some cases, the mast that holds the electric service wires to a home or business may have been damaged or torn away. Crews will reconnect the wires to a home, but only a licensed electrician can repair or replace a mast or a cable.