CHEBOYGAN COUNTY —Many counties are without power, meaning residents are going quite a while with out heat.
While some have access to generators, or are able to leave to areas with power, what about those who cannot access a generator, and can’t leave.
Michelle Lawrence, who lives in Cheboygan tells us that while they have running water, that’s it, saying “We do not have power. We do not have heat. Our apartment is completely electric. And you can’t run like any kind of a generator in it because there’s not any ventilation. There is nothing open here. Up until yesterday, we didn’t even have a grocery store open. ”
Cheboygan County residents are struggling to cope in this situation.
Lawrence says “Walmart right now is open temporarily. So that was, you know, that was a bright spot. And all the chaos. And then McDonald’s did open, day before yesterday. They got a generators so people could go there and get warm in church with their phones. ”
Michelle and her husband have been forced to fill their bathroom with candles and stay in there in order to remain warm.
Many residents face that issue.
For Michelle, while there are multiple warming centers in the county, the closest one closes at 10pm, and with no gas stations in the county, its difficult to make any further treks.
However, there is still hope.
Spl/Lt. Kim Vetter, the MSP Public Information Officer, says “There are hundreds, maybe thousands of poles that have been damaged beyond repair and need to be replaced. There are crews out there working right now. Some grids, areas of the grid are starting to come back up. ”
And for those who are stuck with no where to go, you can call 2-1-1.
Spl/Lt. Vetter says that if you need to get to a shelter or find one near you, you can call 211, as they can give you a ride to the the nearest warming shelter.
Spl/Lt. Vetter assures that progress is being made, and asks residents to just be strong and hold out a little longer.
Crews are in the process of clearing off roads to get gasoline and other supplies to areas that need them.