Consumers Energy is preparing for severe weather to start hitting Michigan late Tuesday, ensuring that crews will be ready if potential hail and 60 mph wind gusts cause power outages.

The Consumers Energy Storm Restoration Team is preparing crews of electric lineworkers in advance to respond quickly to any outages, and is preparing trucks and essential materials needed to assist with any restoration efforts.

The storm is expected to deliver the most serious impact starting Tuesday evening, with high winds continuing through the day Wednesday. The Lake Michigan shoreline, West Michigan and the southern part of the state could be affected.

“Consumers Energy knows our job is to be ready for any possible hazardous weather and to respond immediately when we can,” said Greg Salisbury, Consumers Energy’s Vice President of Electric Distribution Engineering. “We also are keeping a close eye on polling places, making sure voting can continue taking place in Michigan’s primaries.”

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

Customers should stay at least 25 feet away from downed wires and anything they are touching, keep children and pets away, and report the issue by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050.

Some preparation tips for potential severe weather include:

·            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 also urges the public to keep these other important storm safety tips in mind:

·            A portable generator should be placed at least 25 feet away from any doors, windows or fresh air intakes. Never operate a generator inside your home, garage, basement or enclosed area. Proper ventilation is critical.

·            In addition to moving your generator outdoors and away from your home doors and intakes, don’t run your vehicles in a garage or use your gas stove for heat. If you have a fireplace, ensure the flue is open and only use if it’s been cleaned and serviced this year.

·            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.