GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — While West Michigan residents will be tying down and anchoring outdoor items ahead of the weekend windstorm, crews operating cranes in downtown Grand Rapids won’t be.
“Do you tie the cranes down? (That) is the assumption that a lot of people make. The reality is we do just the opposite,” said Chris Beckering of Pioneer Construction, the major contractor on the Studio Park project.
Standing 200 feet in the air, you may think a 50 mph wind would be an issue. But the tower cranes act like a weather vane when operators essentially unlock them.
“Which allows it to just free spin around on the mast. The beauty of that is your lessening the wind load because the jib will point in the direction the wind is blowing,” explained Beckering.
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Storm Team 8 says Sunday’sWinter Storm Watchcould include sustained winds of between 40 and 50 mph, with gusts of up to 60 mph.
Consumer Energy is also preparing for the high winds.