JACKSON, Mich., May 16, 2025 – Consumers Energy is starting an around-the-clock effort to restore power after a line of devastating storms rampaged across Michigan late Thursday and early this morning, delivering powerful winds and hail and toppling trees and power lines.

Some 500 crews from Consumers Energy and Michigan contractors are mobilized to help restore power to over 216,000 homes and businesses. The company also is working to secure more crews to power the restoration effort.

“We recognize that many communities will be waking up to the impact of this tremendous storm system, and our commitment is to help them recover,” said Chris Wisniewski, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge for this storm. “That means we will be putting every available resource to work today, ensuring we safely and quickly restore power to customers who count on us.” 

The line of storms brought reports of 70 mph winds, tornado sightings, hail and other damage to homes and businesses. High winds should continue through the day Friday, but Consumers Energy will be restoring power as long as it is safe.

Customers should check  ConsumersEnergy.com/outagemap for updates on restoration times. They can also download the Consumers Energy app.

“We want to thank our customers in advance for their patience and understanding. We know it’s challenging to be without power,” Wisniewski said. “We expect to make progress today to get the lights back on for our friends and neighbors.”

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

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