The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning, with gusts up to 65 mph (please see the main page of this website to view a detailed forecast). Flip Reynolds captured the intensity of this wind as it pushed huge amounts of water over the dam at Ocean Beach.
As of 12:45 pm, Consumers Energy reported 11,849 customers were with out power in Jackson County. Across the state, 140,000 experienced outages. Consumers comments “Because of the storm’s duration and statewide impact, some customers in the worst impacted areas may not have power restored until Sunday.” Today, Ann Swain photographed a utility pole down on Clark Lake Road, more near M-50 than the lake.
Trees are also prime targets of these high winds. This photo was also taken along Clark Lake Road.
Consumers Energy warns that a downed power line can pose serious safety hazards. Here are some of their recommendations:
-Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines and to call 911 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.
-If using a generator, contact a licensed electrician to ensure that it is properly connected and make certain it is isolated from the company’s electric distribution system. Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement or near any air intakes, and never fuel a generator when it is running. Operating a generator without proper ventilation can create carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas.
-In some cases, the mast which holds the electric service wires to a customer’s 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.
If your power goes out and your smart phone is charged, you can report an outage either by dialing 800-477-5050 or by clicking the button on the CE website at this location. You can also view outage locations on a map that Consumers Energy continually updates.
And courtesy of Flip, here’s one more view of the lake this afternoon.
Consumers Energy noted these outages around the state. “As of 12:45 p.m., counties most affected by electric interruptions were: Alcona (2,351); Allegan (4,789); Antrim (1,005); Arenac (710); Barry (8,029); Bay (1,620); Branch (2,236); Calhoun (11,515); Clare (2,770); Clinton (2,264); Eaton (1,360); Genesee (10,109); Gladwin (1,060); Grand Traverse (457); Gratiot (3,340); Hillsdale (2,674); Ingham (4,239); Ionia (7,002); Iosco (2,076); Isabella (367); Jackson (11,849); Kalamazoo (6,001); Kalkaska (483); Kent (30,345); Lenawee (2,985); Livingston (1,924); Mecosta (1,478); Midland (6,124); Monroe (1,775); Montcalm (4,292); Newaygo (1,112); Oakland (1078); Ogemaw (1,288); Ottawa (2,993); Roscommon (1,533); Saginaw (5,537); Shiawassee (2,001); VanBuren (2,206); Washtenaw (885) and Wexford (348).”
