Lineworkers from Other States Help as Work Continues Overnight

JACKSON, Mich., August 28, 2024 – Consumers Energy crews were working through the night after Tuesday’s line of thunderstorms carrying heavy rains and winds over 55 MPH caused significant damage across the state. 

Nearly two thirds of Consumers Energy customers that experienced outages have been restored. 

“Our crews and contractors are prepared for situations like this and will be working around the clock to restore power for our neighbors,” said Norm Kapala, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge for restoration. “We know it’s a hardship to go without power and we ask the people we serve to continue to be careful and safe as crews work to turn back on the lights.” 

More than 500 Consumers Energy and contract crews from Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Tennessee will be working to restore power from the storms that knocked down trees, damaged almost 3,000 power lines and impacted nearly 190,000 customers.   

To thank customers for their patience, Consumers Energy held two community events today in Midland and Kent, providing free ice and water to residents in some of the hardest-hit communities. Three additional events are scheduled for tomorrow in Flint, Alger and Pinconning.  

Customers can continue to check the status of outages at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter. They can also sign up to get outage alerts and restoration times sent to a phone, email or text message, Text ‘REG' to 232273 or visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/alerts. 

Consumers Energy urges the public to keep important safety tips in mind:

• Be alert to crews working along roadsides. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they can go safely past.
• Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines, and report unguarded downed lines by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Consumers Energy reminds people that falsely calling in downed lines actually slows down the restoration process for everyone.
• 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. 

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. Consumers Energy knows Job No. 1 is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to providing reliable, clean and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

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Here's this morning's update: 

Consumers Energy Starts Final Push to Return Power to Customers Today After Major Thunderstorms 

Lights on for Over Three Fourths of Customers; 500+ Crews at Work

JACKSON, Mich., August 29, 2024 – Over 500 crews of lineworkers from Consumers Energy, Michigan contractors and nine other states are starting their final push this morning to restore power today to most homes and businesses affected by Tuesday’s strong thunderstorms.

As of 6 a.m., crews have turned the lights back on for more than three quarters of affected customers. Less than 42,000 homes and businesses remain without power.

“We appreciate the dedicated effort of so many lineworkers from Michigan and as far away as Alabama and Arkansas, and the grace our friends and neighbors have shown these last couple of days,” said Norm Kapala, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge for restoration. “We’re working as hard and safely as we can to finish the job today for the communities we serve.”

Consumers Energy provided free ice and water Wednesday in Midland and Kent County, and is coordinating similar efforts to help people today in Flint, Pinconning (Bay County) and Alger (Arenac County). 

Customers can continue to check the status of outages at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter. They can also sign up to get outage alerts and restoration times sent to a phone, email or text message, Text ‘REG' to 232273 or visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/alerts.

Consumers Energy urges the public to keep important safety tips in mind:

• Be alert to crews working along roadsides. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they can go safely past.
• Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines, and report unguarded downed lines by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Consumers Energy reminds people that falsely calling in downed lines actually slows down the restoration process for everyone.
• 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.

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. Consumers Energy knows Job No. 1 is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to providing reliable, clean and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

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And HERE'S The Thursday MID-DAY story update:

Consumers Energy Restoring Power to Customers, Helping Communities Hit Hardest by Major Thunderstorms

Outreach planned today in Alger, Flint and Pinconning; 500+ Crews at Work

JACKSON, Mich., August 29, 2024 – As Consumers Energy crews restore power to the final homes and businesses impacted by Tuesday’s thunderstorms, the company is helping and thanking customers in regions where damage and outages were most severe.

As of 11:30 a.m., crews have turned the lights back on for about 80 percent of affected customers. Less than 35,000 customers remained without power.

“We won’t stop until the job is finished,” said Chris Fultz, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge for restoration. “The damage created by this storm was significant and our lineworkers are giving their all to safely restore power as quickly as possible. We are deeply grateful for our customers’ patience and doing all we can to show our gratitude and minimize their inconvenience.”

As it did Wednesday in Midland and Kent counties, Consumers Energy is providing free ice and water today to help people in regions hit hardest by the storm.

Free Water and Ice in Flint

• When: Noon today
• Where: The Urban Renaissance Center at Joy Tabernacle Church (parking lot), 2505 N. Chevrolet Ave, Flint, MI 48504

Free Water and Ice in Pinconning

• When: Noon today
• Where: Pinconning United Methodist Church (parking lot), 314 Whyte St, Pinconning, MI 48650

Free Water in Alger

• When: 2 p.m. today
• Where: Distributed by local officials directly to local homes

Customers can continue to check the status of outages at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter. They can also sign up to get outage alerts and restoration times sent to a phone, email or text message, Text ‘REG' to 232273 or visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/alerts.

Consumers Energy urges the public to keep important safety tips in mind:

• Be alert to crews working along roadsides. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they can go safely past.
• Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines and report unguarded downed lines by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Consumers Energy reminds people that falsely calling in downed lines actually slows down the restoration process for everyone.
• 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.

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. Consumers Energy knows Job No. 1 is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to providing reliable, clean and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

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