News
Severe Thunderstorm Causes Power Outages in West Michigan
Over 132,000 customers of Consumers Energy in Michigan are currently facing power outages as a result of severe thunderstorms hitting the state. Additionally, around 11,000 customers of Great Lakes Energy are affected by the ongoing power failures. The impacted areas include Allegan, Barry, Calhoun, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Kent, Mecosta, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ottawa, and Van Buren counties.
In Grand Rapids, nearly 90,000 Consumers Energy customers are without power due to the strong winds, rain, and lightning brought by the thunderstorm, primarily affecting West Michigan. The most significant outages are reported in Kent (41,039), Muskegon (33,472), Kalamazoo (10,121), and Ottawa (8,235) counties.
Crews are diligently working to restore power</strong, with a focus on evaluating the damage and prioritizing critical customers first. Lineworkers are putting in extended shifts of up to 16 hours to expedite the restoration process, intending to bring back power to all affected customers as soon as possible.
Multiple roads have been closed in Muskegon County due to downed power lines caused by the storm. Among the closures are eastbound M-46 (Apple Avenue) between Moorland and Ravenna roads, as well as eastbound Seaway Drive at Hoyt Street. Westbound Seaway Drive at Seminole Road has also been affected, with police urging caution at the intersection. Furthermore, Wellesley Drive is currently closed between Randall and Quainton roads due to obstructing tree branches and power lines.
Incidentally, a traffic collision has led to the closure of northbound U.S. 31 after Riley-Thompson Road in Muskegon County. As of the latest update from the National Weather Service, the storm is gradually weakening, but still poses a risk of producing gusts up to 60 mph in certain areas. A similar severe weather pattern was experienced in Wisconsin, where the storm initially caused significant wind damage with 70-mph gusts before moving into Michigan.
As of the most recent data available at 7 a.m., a total of 89,879 Consumers Energy customers remain without power, with additional outages reported in Allegan (1,535), Ionia (1,192), and Oceana (1,696) counties. The severe thunderstorm warnings issued for a large part of West Michigan highlight the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the need for prompt power restoration efforts in the affected areas.
