Electrical service has returned to many areas, but some Consumers Energy customers still do not have power.  The outage map from 6:50 pm today illustrates current conditions.  For an updated CE outage map, please click here.

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Late this afternoon (Saturday), Consumers Energy issued this report:

‘Consumers Energy employees, contractors and mutual assistance crews from six states working around the clock have restored power to nearly 320,000 customers affected by this week’s damaging wind storm.

“As of 3:30 p.m. Saturday, approximately 34,500 customers remained without electric service. Fierce, prolonged winds Tuesday and Wednesday exceeding 60 mph cut power to more than 354,000 Consumers Energy customers.

“The vast majority of customers without electric service should have power restored by midnight tonight. In some of the hardest areas, including portions of Allegan, Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Ingham, Jackson, Genesee, Kalamazoo, Lenawee and Monroe counties, restoration work will continue into Sunday.

“This week’s storm took down over 9,000 electric wires and broke more than 1,300 poles across Consumers Energy’s service territory.

“From lineworkers to damage assessors, wire guards and customer service representatives, more than 3,400 people are engaged in electric restoration activities. An additional 166 crews from utilities in Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Indiana are working alongside Consumers Energy and in-state contractor crews in this effort.

“Customers can sign up to get outage alerts and restoration times sent to a phone, email or text message, Text ‘REG’ to 232273 or visit: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/alerts. Customers can also, report an outage, check the status of an outage and get useful tips what to do before, during and after a storm by visiting www.ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter.

“Consumers Energy continues to share these important safety tips:
·       Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines. Call 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050 to report.
·       Be alert to crews working along roads and “slow down and go around.” Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear then safely pass workers on roadsides.
·       Operating a generator may produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas. Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement or near any air intakes, and never fuel a generator when it is running.
·       Customers concerned about staying in their home during the colder temperatures are encouraged to call 2-1-1. Local emergency management officials are collecting information from 2-1-1 centers to help determine if warming centers need to be opened. 
·       Because temperatures are dropping, we ask our customers to reach out to family, friends and neighbors who may be impacted by this storm and make sure they are safe.
·       Help keep pipes from freezing during low temperatures by maintaining a constant drip on faucets.

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