Michigan Storm Leaves Tens of Thousands Without Power as Consumers Energy Crews Mobilize
Right now, Michigan is dealing with the fallout from a powerful winter storm system that has brought a dangerous mix of ice, heavy snow, and damaging winds across the state. Over the past couple of days, power outages have been spreading, and Consumers Energy customers have been among the hardest hit. As of Sunday afternoon, nearly 30,000 electric customers statewide were reported without power, with more than 21,000 of those outages linked directly to Consumers Energy.
Most of these outages have been concentrated in mid-Michigan, especially in areas stretching between Saginaw Bay, Cadillac, and Big Rapids. Counties like Mecosta and Clare were particularly impacted, with Mecosta County alone seeing more than 8,000 customers lose electricity — roughly a third of the entire county. Smaller but still significant outages were scattered across Midland, Isabella, Osceola, Wexford, Gladwin, and surrounding areas.
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This situation has been building since Friday, when an ice storm swept through Michigan and coated trees, power lines, and roads with a layer of ice measuring up to a sixth of an inch in some places. That ice caused branches to snap and equipment to fail, knocking out power for nearly 90,000 Consumers Energy customers at its peak. In response, about 500 repair crews were dispatched to begin restoration work, even as conditions remained challenging.
Just as crews were making progress, another storm system arrived. High winds, forecast to reach 50 to 55 miles per hour, have been moving across the state, raising concerns about additional outages. Snow has been blowing and drifting, especially overnight, with visibility dropping sharply in some areas. These conditions have made repair work slower and more dangerous, and restoration timelines have not been widely posted.
Consumers Energy has said preparations were made for the second wave of severe weather, with plans to mobilize another 500 crews as needed. Many of the outages are being attributed to equipment damage, while others are believed to have been caused by falling trees and limbs weakened by ice.
Residents are being urged to stay cautious. Downed power lines should always be assumed to be live and dangerous, even if they appear quiet or still. People are advised to keep a safe distance, keep children and pets indoors, and report hazards immediately. If a downed line poses an immediate threat, emergency services should be contacted.
As the storm system continues to move through Michigan, power restoration efforts remain ongoing. For many families, it’s a tense waiting game, but crews are working around the clock to bring electricity back as safely and quickly as possible.
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