Mutual aid crews from across Michigan and out-of-state arrive in Lansing to assist
The Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) is continuing to work throughout its service territory to make restorations to customers throughout the Greater Lansing region following last night’s storm and will continue to work throughout the night on repairs. Crews from across Michigan including Niles, Grand Haven, Traverse City, Coldwater, Sturgis, Marshall, Sebawing, Zeeland, and out-of-state crews from Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Kentucky are arriving in Lansing to join BWL crews to get power restored quickly and safely.
The BWL currently has over 24,000 customers still without power, and an estimated 28 broken poles and around 150 wires down still in its service territory.
“We’re working hard, getting our crews throughout the region to continue planning and implementing restoration efforts through the weekend,” said BWL General Manager Dick Peffley. “The damage in our service territory is significant, as some streets are still impassable due to downed trees.”
Restoration for outages will follow the BWL’s priority process in the following order: hospitals, urgent care facilities, water pumping facilities, police and fire departments, wastewater treatment plants, and pumping stations. All other restorations not immediately involving public safety will be scheduled to restore service to circuits with the largest number of customers within the shortest amount of time.
Customers who have experienced a single service outage due to mast damage are responsible for having repairs done before the BWL is able to restore power. Customers may use any of the BWL-approved electrical contractors to have repairs made and payments financed interest-free for 12 months. Click here for more information.
Please stay at least 25 feet from downed lines. Intersections with traffic signals out should be treated as 4-way stops.
Estimated restoration times will be posted to BWL’s Outage Map as information from the crews is received. Customers should report power outages and downed lines by calling 877-295-5001. Outages can also be reported by visiting the Outage Center at www.lbwl.com/outagecenter, using the BWL Outage Center mobile app, or texting “out” or “outage” to 898295 or txtbwl.
###
Gov. Whitmer Declares State Emergency for Wayne and Monroe Counties to Help Recovery Efforts After Severe Storms
Additional counties may be added to the emergency declaration as damage is assessed.
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Wayne and Monroe counties to help with response and recovery efforts to flooding and damage caused by severe storms and heavy rain.
“Communities across Michigan were hit hard by torrential downpours and damaging winds,” said Governor Whitmer. “This emergency declaration will ensure state resources are available as quickly as possible to help Michiganders in need. I want to thank all the first responders and emergency crews who hard through the night to save lives. We will recover and rebuild together.”
On August 24, areas in lower Michigan experienced several storm fronts that brought heavy rain and high winds. As a result of the flooding, wind, and other storm impacts, the counties of Wayne and Monroe have experienced road and bridge closures; downed trees and power lines; damage to building structures, embankments, and road surfaces; overwhelmed stormwater and sewer systems; flooding of residential structures; and deposits of silt and debris. Hundreds of homeowners have also reported residential floods.
The declaration of a local state of emergency activates local emergency response and recovery plans. By requesting a governor’s declaration, these counties have determined local resources are insufficient to address the situation, and state assistance is required to protect the health, safety, and property to lessen or avert the threat of a crisis. By declaring a state of emergency, Governor Whitmer has made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the designated areas. The declaration provides that the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) will coordinate state efforts.
For more information on how to prepare before, during and after an emergency or disaster, visit www.michigan.gov/miready or follow MSP/EMHSD on Twitter at @MichEMHS.
To view the full executive order, please click the attachment below:
###
