150,000 Lose Power As High Winds Do Damage Across Metro Detroit
DETROIT (WWJ) - Strong wind gusts have been causing power outages and leaving some damage behind across southeast Michigan on Monday.
At 4 p.m., DTE Energy was reporting an estimated 150,000 customers were in the dark — and spokeswoman Erica Donerson says that number was expected to increase, peaking in the later afternoon.
Scattered outages were reported near Detroit, Milan and Ann Arbor.
"We believe that we have a variety of trees down and also limbs that have fallen onto wires causing outages," Donerson said.
Orchard Lake Road was shut down south of Green Road, near West Bloomfield High School, because of a primary electrical line across the road. The high winds also blew over a couple of traffic arrow signs in downtown Detroit. One hit a Detroit police car, but no one was hurt.
In the Downriver area, wooden fences came down along Fort Street near Rush. At Fort and Van Horn stop lights were out. At Van Horn and West Jefferson police blocked off an area where several business lost power.
In Royal Oak, motorists were dodging numerous garbage cans and recycling bins that blew into the street. At Crooks and 13 Mile Road, police and fire were on the scene where a power line came down across the roadway.
Donerson said these winds could make for a dangerous situation.
"We just want folks to be very careful and be mindful of the fact that there could be falling tree limbs," Donerson said. "And definitely stay at least 20 feet away from all power lines and anything that lines are in contact with — just consider that they are live."
A couple of different wind-related weather alerts remain in effect in southeast Michigan. The National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning for Wayne, Washtenaw, Lenawee and Monroe counties. A Wind Advisory was issued for Livingston, Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair counties. Both alerts will expire at 10 p.m.
The weather service said wind gusts to near 60 mph were likely as a front movess through into the afternoon. After the front works through, periodic wind gusts to near 60 mph are likely into the evening.
To report downed lines or a power outage to DTE, call 800-477-4747. You can make a report online or check the DTE outage map, HERE.
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