Utility Crews Work Overnight To Restore Service After Storms
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - About 40,000 homes and businesses in metro Detroit remain without power because of the high winds from the fringes of superstorm Sandy.
DTE Energy said Wednesday morning it had restored service to about 80,000 customers since the storm started. Strong winds, with gusts reaching 50 mph, caused more than 500 power lines to come down.
The Detroit-based utility company said it expects to have 90 percent of its customers back in service by day's end -- but it could take several days to reach everyone.
DTE officials said about 10,000 customers are without power in St. Clair County and many of the rest are in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. The remaining outages are scattered throughout DTE's service area.
Crews from other electric utilities have been called in to assist DTE employees who have been working 16-hour shifts, around the clock, to restore service. DTE says a number of crews from Wisconsin are expected in Detroit by Thursday morning.
CMS Energy Corp. said about 660 of its customers are without power Wednesday morning. About 33,000 of the Jackson-based utility's customers had lost power at some point Monday or Tuesday.
At least 153,000 Michigan homes and businesses initially lost power after high winds moved across the state when Sandy pummeled the eastern U.S. coastline.
The storm's winds knocked down trees and turned streets and highways into demolition alleys. The weather prompted warnings for the Great Lakes, with waves up to 23-feet reported on Lake Huron and near record-breaking 20-foot waves on Lake Michigan.
Tips: Stay Safe During A Power Outage
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