UPDATED 4:00PM...
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Freezing rain brought down power lines and trees, knocking out electricity to thousands across West Michigan Wednesday morning.
As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, the Consumers Energy outage map showed a total of 41,504 customers were without power across the state...involving over 1,00 separate outages.
Consumers Energy spokesperson Roger Morgenstern told 24 Hour News 8 that the utility company expects some customers may not have power restored until Thursday night. He added that there are 1,100 employees focused on the restoration process from the call center to out in the field.
CREWS WORK TO REPAIR DOWNED WIRES
Crews are dealing with tree limbs falling onto power lines due to the weight of the ice on branches. In Kent County, there are nearly 200 downed wires, according to Morgenstern.
Field crews will be replacing poles, restringing wires and dealing with downed trees as they work to get power back on, Morgenstern told 24 Hour News 8.
“There are dozens of downed wires, downed trees, broken poles creating very dangerous situations,” said Morgenstern. “We have been monitoring the weather. We have been out throughout the night securing downed wires and making situations safe.”
Consumers reminded people to stay away from downed power lines. If you see one, call 911 and then Consumers at 800.477.5050. Drivers are also reminded to be alert to Consumers crews working along roads.
The utility company also reminded people who use generators to keep them outdoors — not in a garage or shed — because they may cause carbon monoxide poisoning in enclosed spaces.