Crews Working Today with More Severe Weather Expected

GAYLORD, Mich., March 30, 2025 – Consumers Energy is committed to restoring power quickly and providing help to several Northern Michigan communities this morning after a major storm delivered up to an inch of ice and caused widespread damage this weekend.

Over 600 crews from Consumers Energy, Michigan contractors and other states will be working today to restore power. Crews also are being prepared to respond as thunderstorms bring the potential for power outages throughout the state.

“The safety and comfort of our customers is our top priority today, especially as we brace for more severe weather,” said Norm Kapala, one of Consumers Energy’s officers in charge for today’s storm response. “Mother Nature has thrown a tremendous challenge at Michigan, and we’re determined to respond, to get the lights back on and to help so many communities recover.”

The majority of Northern Michigan’s restoration is on track to be complete Tuesday, and the hardest hit areas Wednesday. With severe weather expected this evening, crews are pre-staged across southern and mid-Michigan to respond and restore affected customers within 24 hours.

Customers should continue to check ConsumersEnergy.com/outagemap for updates.

Residents in the most severely affected areas are being encouraged not to travel unless necessary, and to watch for downed wires and crews working along roads. Consumers Energy has moved mobile storm units that bring supplies closer to crews in Cadillac and Gaylord.

“We appreciate the patience of our customers and applaud the hard work of our coworkers, police and fire officials, and others who are helping these communities through a difficult day,” Kapala said. “We encourage people to turn to our website, our outage map and social media channels for updates, or to call 9-1-1 if they face an immediate need.”

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

• 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.
• Be alert to crews working along roads. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they safely can go past workers on roadsides.
• 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 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 delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.