JACKSON, Mich. June. 10, 2026 – As Mother Nature strikes the state with a wave of turbulent weather, Consumers Energy is preparing crews as the first wave of storms sweep across the state.

500 crews are staged across the state for damage assessments and restoration efforts as customers from Kalamazoo to Saginaw begin to see widespread outages. With strong winds, heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms in the forecast tonight for most of the state, Consumers Energy is preparing for more potential outages as a second round of severe weather ramps up on Thursday.

“When storms strike at night it is critical the public exercises safety throughout the night through the morning hours ,” said Norm Kapala, Consumers Energy’s vice president of grid operations, restoration and work management. “Our crews are prepared to work no matter the hour to assess damage and restore power as quickly and as safely as possible for customers.”

Customers are encouraged to practice extreme caution when on the roads and to be aware of downed power lines, flooding, and broken tree limbs.

Consumers Energy is encouraging customers to visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter for tips to stay safe and prepare their homes for possible outages. Customers can also sign up for outage alerts at ConsumersEnergy.com/alerts and receive real-time updates.

Customers can prepare their homes with these tips in mind:

·            Charge all critical electronics including medical devices. It’s advised to have an emergency battery or charging station available.

·            Have an emergency kit that includes flashlights and extra batteries, water, canned food and blankets. Be prepared with enough medication, baby supplies and pet food if applicable. A battery-operated radio is also a good idea.

·            Unplug sensitive electronics like TVs, computers and printers. Turn power strips off.

As safety remains a top priority for the company, customers are asked to remain safe and follow these safety tips:

• Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines, and to report unguarded downed lines by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050.
• Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement, enclosed patio or near any air intakes. Doing so could cause a generator to produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas. Read more guidance on safe generator use here.
• Consumers Energy will trim or remove trees interfering with electric restoration activities. Once safe to do so, clean-up of debris from tree trimming or removal during a storm emergency is the responsibility of individual property owners.
• In some cases, the mast that holds the electric service wires to a home or business may have been damaged or torn away. Crews will reconnect the wires to a home, but only a licensed electrician can repair or replace a mast or a cable.

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Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. We are committed to delivering reliable and affordable energy to our customers 24/7. 

Learn more at ConsumersEnergy.com. 

ConsumersEnergy.com.