KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Following a series of damaging storms Tuesday evening, Consumers Energy is continuing to work at restoring power for affected Kalamazoo-area customers.
Storms packing hail and 60-plus mph winds knocked out power for about 80,000 customers.
- See Also – WKZO’s Brandon James wrote a detailed report on storm damage in Kalamazoo Tuesday. That report can be viewed here.
As of 8:35 p.m. Wednesday, 13,138 customers are reported without power, with 561 total outages.
In a statement, Consumers said it expects most power to be restored by Thursday. At this time, crews from Ohio and Alabama are in Michigan to help restore
Consumers Energy truck parked at WKZO studios in Kalamazoo, MI. (Photo by Will Kriss).
power.
“We’re confident we can continue safely reconnecting customers with today’s good weather,” Consumers Energy’s vice president for electric operations Guy Packard said. “We know the communities we serve are counting on us, and we’re working tirelessly to turn the lights back on for homes and businesses across the state.”
More than 1,100 Consumers Energy coworkers and contractors are involved in the around-the-clock effort to restore power and help customers.
Customers can check the status of specific outages by visiting www.ConsumersEnergy.
Officials also noted that a good way to stay informed is to sign up for outage alerts and restoration times sent to a phone, email or text message. To do so, text ‘REG’ to 232273 or visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/
In the meantime, people to stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines. Residents should keep children and pets away and report the issue by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050.
Consumers Energy asks the public to keep a safe distance from crews while they work.
Further tips –
- 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.
- Call 2-1-1 if you are looking for help connecting to resources that offer assistance in your community. 2-1-1 is a free statewide service.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
More safety tips can be viewed online by clicking here.
