A powerful storm system is already causing significant disruption across Michigan, with over 50,000 homes and businesses experiencing power outages even before high winds begin. The majority of outages are concentrated in Mid-Michigan, where Clare County suffers the most, reporting upwards of 16,000 affected homes. Following closely are Mecosta County with more than 7,500 outages and Isabella County with over 6,000 residents left without electricity. Additionally, some counties in the western Upper Peninsula are also reporting outages.
As forecasters predict the situation could worsen, high winds are expected to escalate by early Monday. Sustained wind speeds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts potentially reaching over 60 mph, are anticipated to further exacerbate power outage numbers. The root cause of the problems in Mid-Michigan can be traced back to ice accumulation observed since Friday, which left around half an inch of ice on trees and power lines over the weekend. Unlike other regions where temperatures rose enough to melt the ice, these areas remained cold, culminating in heavy rainfall on Sunday that froze, compounding the issue.
Utility company Consumers Energy is actively deploying crews to respond to outages as they arise during the storm. Residents are urged to stay informed about the storm’s progress and power restoration efforts through local updates, particularly on dedicated weather news platforms. This situation serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by severe weather and the importance of keeping communities prepared and connected.