High Winds, Power Out To Thousands
At least 25,000 homes and businesses lost power Friday, as high winds are blew through southeast Michigan. The City of Detroit said it's making all necessary preparations to address any emergencies.
Additional fire companies have been activated, and Deputy Fire Commissioner Seth Doyle said they're working closely with DTE Energy to handle downed power lines.
"We will sit on those wires until we are relieved by DTE. And DTE, they have response crews out that assist us in that effort," Doyle said.
A Wind Advisory is posted for all of southeastern Michigan until 9 p.m. Friday. Southwest to west winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour will blow through the area, but gusts of 45 to 50 mph also are possible.
A man died late Friday morning after being hit by a falling branch on Virginia Park, near Henry Ford Hospital. (More on this).
Forecasters say to be warry of winds that could blow tree limbs and power lines down as well as road construction barrels or other small items.
A downed power line led to a power outage and fire drill at Buchanon Elementary in Livonia. Administrators said power was lost Friday morning, but a power surge occurred. Smoke was detected in one confined area of the building so as a precaution the school was evacuated. School continued because there was enough light from doors and windows to keep the kids in the classroom.
DTE is working to restore power in the area near Hubbard and Six Mile.
If you lose power, call DTE Energy at 1 (800) 477-4747.
The WWJ-AccuWeather forecast calls for rain Friday afternoon with high temperatures of 82. Cooler temperatures are expected for this weekend. Click here for the complete weather forecast.
The storms are hitting Michigan a day after soaking towns across west-central Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota.
Sections of Wisconsin and Minnesota already are reeling for a daylong deluge on Thursday that caused flash flooding. Hundreds of people had to flee their homes.
Forecasts for Friday called for a cold front to move into west-central Wisconsin, bringing with it heavy rain, thunderstorms and high winds. The National Weather service extended flood warnings for 13 Wisconsin and Minnesota counties until 9:30 a.m. Friday.
The Wisconsin National Guard was busy distributing thousands of sandbags to municipalities, including 20,000 to Arcadia and 10,000 each to Neillsville and Osseo. Minnesota and Wisconsin's governors declared emergencies for large segments of their states Thursday. The National Weather Service said 3 inches to 5 inches of rain fell across parts of both states. Several roads had to be closed because of flooding.
© MMX WWJ Radio, All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to his report.
