JACKSON, Mich., Aug. 16, 2025 – Consumers Energy is preparing over 350 company and contractor crews to be ready for action ahead of thunderstorms late this afternoon and tonight that could bring 60-70 mph wind gusts.

Consumers Energy is preparing for the weather’s impact across the Lower Peninsula. Current forecasts suggest storms will hit Michigan between 4 p.m. today and 1 a.m. Sunday.

“Going into this weekend, we’ve been watching the quickly changing forecast and want our customers to know we’ll be ready to get the lights back on,” said Chris Fultz, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge for this storm. “We are making sure our crews are in the best position to restore power to our customers who count on us.”

Crews will be staged across the company’s territory, with lineworkers prepared to restore power safely and quickly overnight. Crews will work around the clock until power is restored to everyone.

To help the public prepare for what to do before, during and after a storm, Consumers Energy encourages customers to visit ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter for helpful tips. Customers also can visit the online outage map, report an outage and sign up for power restoration updates. Customers should also download the Consumers Energy app.

Some tips to prepare for possible severe weather: 

• Charge all electronic devices. It’s advised to have an emergency battery or charging station available for use during an outage. 

• 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.

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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
  
  

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.

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