Severe Storms Leave Thousands Without Power Across Midwest

MIAMI VALLEY, Ohio — Severe storms swept through the Midwest on Wednesday night, leaving thousands without power and causing significant damage in several areas.

As of 12:25 a.m. Thursday, approximately 6,040 power outages were reported across the Miami Valley region, with numerous counties affected by the severe weather, according to local energy providers.

In Northern Michigan, multiple days of ice storms continued to disrupt power lines and block roads due to downed trees and infrastructure damage. Spectrum is providing temporary internet access points at various locations, including downtown Petoskey and Harbor Springs, to assist residents during this trying time.

Charlevoix city manager Mark Heydlauff reported that key areas, including city hall, regained power early Wednesday afternoon after outages lasting five days. Heydlauff noted the need for extensive tree-clearing operations at substations and assured residents that full restoration efforts were underway.

Despite some areas regaining power, officials warned that many residents still lacked electricity. Warming centers have been established at locations such as Odawa Casino, Pellston Regional Airport, and various township halls to support those without power.

“We encourage residents to utilize these centers as needed,” said a spokesperson from the Emmet County Emergency Operations Center. “Odawa Casino and Shay Elementary School have facilities equipped to support medical devices for those in need.”

The Salvation Army announced it was mobilizing resources from across Michigan to aid those affected by the ice storm, providing assistance and encouragement for donations through designated channels.

As of 7:20 a.m., Consumers Energy reported 1,782 outages impacting over 51,000 customers statewide, while Great Lakes Energy reported 539 outages affecting nearly 35,000 customers. Consumers Energy expressed optimism that power would be restored to most customers by the end of Friday, contingent on manageable weather conditions.

Chris Fultz, an officer with Consumers Energy, acknowledged the challenging conditions faced by crews, stating, “This has been an unusual week of back-to-back storms, but we are prepared to continue our efforts.”

Meanwhile, the Mackinac Bridge was closed again due to hazardous ice conditions, with no timeline established for its reopening. Travelers are advised to check for updates on road conditions as clean-up efforts continue statewide.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer deployed the Michigan National Guard to assist in recovery operations in Northern Michigan, issuing executive orders to streamline the response process and lift trucking restrictions to expedite deliveries of necessary supplies.

<p“Power restoration is a top priority,” Whitmer said. “State and local emergency teams are working tirelessly alongside our utility partners to ensure the safety and support of those affected by this disaster.”

Officials from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources also announced the temporary closure of certain state parks and facilities as assessments and clean-up begin.

In summary, the impact of the recent storms has led to widespread outages, road closures, and significant damage in multiple regions. Recovery efforts are ongoing as communities band together to support one another during this difficult time.