Fewer Than 32K Still Without Power In Michigan
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Fewer than 32,000 homes and businesses remain without power a week after a massive ice storm swept across parts of Michigan.
DTE Energy said Saturday morning that about 5,500 customers were still offline following the storm and harsh weather Christmas week. The utility says it suffered more than 200,000 total outages.
Click here for DTE Energy's power outage map.
Jackson-based Consumers Energy reported Friday night that outages were down to 25,000 from 399,000 customers who lost power. Spokesperson Debra Dodd said it's the largest Christmas-week storm in the company's 126-year history and the worse ice storm in 10 years.
Click here for Consumers Energy power outage map.
Most of the remaining power outages are in Genesee and Lapeer counties. Other outages are scattered across the state.
Both utilities say hundreds of linemen and tree trimmers from several other states have traveled to Michigan to help restoration efforts. Those crews are working 16-hour shifts, around the clock, to clear power lines of fallen tree branches and get the lights turned back on.
The utilities expect power to be restored to most by this weekend, but fear melting ice on tree branches could fall on power lines as temperatures rise.
MORE: $25 Credit Available For Some Who Lost Power In Michigan
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