The number of homes and businesses without power increased throughout the day Saturday, despite the efforts of full electric crews battling the storm damage.
About 76,000 Consumers Energy customers are without service due to the winter storm that began on Friday afternoon. Saturday morning the number of people without power was 70,000.
"We sincerely appreciate the patience of our customers during this winter storm event as we work to restore electric service in a safe and timely manner," said Garrick Rochow, vice president of energy delivery for the utility. "The destructive nature of this storm has challenged our crews as we continue to restore and rebuild our facilities."
Utility, line clearing and contract crews, including additional crews from Indiana and Illinois, will continue to restore power. The majority of customers south of U.S. 10 should receive electric service by midnight Sunday, with the exception of Genesee County where power is not expected to be fully restored until noon Sunday. The majority of customers north of U.S. 10 are expected to be restored by midnight Monday, however, some customers in Grand Traverse County, may not receive service until midday Tuesday.
More than 28,000 Great Lakes Energy members remain without power today due to wet, heavy snow across Northern Lower Michigan. The majority of the members without power are in the northern region of the Great Lakes Energy service areas.
All available Great Lakes Energy lineworker crews assisted by contracted lineworker and tree-trimming crews have worked throughout the day to restore power to more than 16,000 members since the storm hit Friday night.
Members that are without power this evening should consider making the alternative emergency arrangements for the night. Current outage information by counties and townships that is updated every 15 minutes can be viewed on the Great Lakes Energy website.
According to Traverse City Light & Power, wide spread outages continue. All available crews, including L&P, tree trimming and downstate utilities are working to restore power. Total system restoration is expected to take place within 12 to 24 hours.
Warming shelters are set up at the following locations:
Antrim County:
Antrim Co. Commission on Aging, Bellaire
Benzie County:
Benzie Bus Station: 14150 US Highway 21, Beulah
Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital: 224 Park Avenue, Frankfort
Charlevoix County:
East Jordan High School: 101 Maple St., East Jordan (opens at 5pm)
Boyne City Methodist Church: 324 S. Park, Boyne City (opens at 5pm)
Cheboygan County:
Cheboygan County Armory: 610 Cuyler, Cheboygan (opens at 6pm)
Emmet County:
Mackinaw City Schools, 609 West Center, Mackinaw City (opens at 5pm)
Grand Traverse County:
Salvation Army: Corner of Barlow and Boone, Traverse City
The Rock Youth Center: 115 East Blair Street, Kingsley
Leelanau County:
Leland Fire Station (overnight)
Northport Fire Station (overnight)
Sutttons Bay Fire Station (overnight)
Otsego County:
Evangelical Free church, 1649 East M-31, Gaylord (opens at 8pm)
