JACKSON — Consumers Energy deployed nearly 630 crews and introduced a new emergency response trailer as it worked to restore power to more than 230,000 customers impacted by two rounds of winter weather since Friday, Dec. 26.
Per a Dec. 30 news release, the company said the trailer is designed to support lineworkers in the hardest hit areas by providing food, water and clean clothes to crews working around the clock so they can return to restoration work more quickly.
The trailer, stationed in Clare County this week, also is serving as a communications hub equipped with high frequency radios and internet to keep crews connected with dispatchers identifying outages as they are reported.
“As we narrow in on the final stages of restoration efforts, our emergency response crews remain dedicated to assisting the communities we serve to ensure a safe and timely return to a sense of normal,” said Norm Kapala, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge for restoration. “If you see our emergency response teams in your area — or our blue, white and green bucket trucks out, you can rest assured help is on the way.”
Consumers Energy said it aims to restore power to all communities, including the hardest hit areas in Northwest and Mid-Michigan, by the end of the day Wednesday.
“It’s been a mess here in the Harrison area. We just wanted to thank you and all the linemen for all the hard work getting power back to everyone. We appreciate all of you so very much,” said Wendy Ransom, a Consumers Energy customer in Clare County.
Customers can check outage status at ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter. The company said customers can also sign up for outage alerts and restoration times sent to a phone, email or text message by texting “REG” to 232273 or visiting ConsumersEnergy.com/Alerts.
Consumers Energy urged the public to use caution around crews and electrical hazards. The company said drivers should be alert to crews working along roadsides and slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they can pass safely.
The company said people should stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines and report unguarded downed lines by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Consumers Energy said false reports of downed lines slow the restoration process.
Consumers Energy also warned against using a generator in an attached garage, basement, enclosed patio or near air intakes, saying it could produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas.
The company said it will trim or remove trees interfering with electric restoration activities, but once it is safe to do so, cleanup of debris from storm-related trimming or removal is the responsibility of individual property owners.
Consumers Energy said crews will reconnect service wires to a home, but only a licensed electrician can repair or replace a damaged mast or cable.
Consumers Energy said it is Michigan’s largest energy provider, supplying natural gas and or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents across all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.