Additional Crews Have Joined Those Already Working Around the Clock in Areas Most Storm Damaged
11:30 a.m. Update: Meeting Electric Restoration Estimates
WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 6, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Additional Consumers Energy, out-of-state, and contractor crews have joined crews who have been working around the clock in areas that were most devastated by Sunday’s storm activity in Michigan.
“We are meeting the times we had estimated for our customers to get their lights back on, and we couldn’t be more proud of our crews or appreciative of the patience demonstrated by our customers in these challenging conditions,” said Mary Palkovich, Consumers Energy vice president of energy delivery. “We are reminding our men and women to remain vigilant about working safely as they concentrate in the remaining areas affected by storm-related electric outages.”
Palkovich is asking residents to be alert to crews working along roads and to slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear before safely passing workers on roadsides. She also stressed the importance of generator safety.
Only operate a generator in a well-ventilated location away from windows or air intakes to help protect against odorless, colorless and potentially deadly carbon monoxide. Never use a generator anywhere indoors, including in a garage or basement. Always turn off the generator and allow it to cool before refueling. It’s also very important to be certain the generator is connected properly so it is isolated from the utility’s electric distribution system.
Crews who have wrapped up restoration work downstate have traveled to northern Michigan, where Sunday’s series of severe thunderstorms caused the most damage. More than 1,600 Consumers Energy and contract personnel have been engaged in the restoration effort, including crews from Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.
About 170,000 customers experienced an interruption in electric service due to the storms. As of 11 a.m., approximately 19,295 Consumers Energy customers remained out of power.
Counties most affected by electric interruptions were Antrim (1,112); Arenac (411); Crawford (364); Gladwin (80); Grand Traverse (1,235); Iosco (1,454); Kalkaska (1,910); Leelanau (4,935); Missaukee (315); Ogemaw (5,845); Oscoda (1,113) and Roscommon (521).
Most customers should have their power restored by late today. In Leelanau, Grand Traverse and Ogemaw counties, complete restoration is expected to be late tomorrow. The public is encouraged to check for updated restoration information at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/outagemap.
Residents with concerns about staying in their home during an extended outage are encouraged to call 2-1-1 to learn about available resources, including shelters.
Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
Media toolkit
DOWNED WIRE SAFETY VIDEO: Learn tips about the dangers and how to stay safe around downed power lines
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEASqkonteI&list=PLmi8EGIdDXJgw6WdQeIT-Vl0zUC05U5yI
Media Contacts: Roger Morgenstern, 616-530-4364, or Terry DeDoes, 517-374-2159
For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.
