8:52 p.m. Thursday
DTE Energy has restored power to more than 99% of the total 70,000 customers without power in metro Detroit. The remaining customers without power are expected to get power back by midnight Thursday.
9:00 a.m. Thursday
About 35,000 DTE Energy customers are without power after two waves of heavy thunderstorms, lightening and gusty winds that crossed Southeast Michigan.
The storms caused trees to fall onto power lines and damaged utility poles and electrical equipment. A total of 65,000 customers have been impacted by the storms, and DTE has restored power to nearly 50% so far.
The company expects to restore power to 95% of customers by end of day Thursday, with the remaining customers restored Friday.
Restoration estimates on the DTE outage map will be updated once a crew is assigned and is able to assess the damage.
We know how difficult it is to be without power, and we ask for our customers’ patience as our crews work 16-hour shifts around the clock until all customers are safely restored.
5:30 a.m. Thursday
There are now 36,000 electric customers without power across metro Detroit, according to DTE Energy.
At the height of Wednesday's storms, about 65,000 electric customers were without power.
The company does not have an estimated repair time yet.
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Wednesday storms have left 22,000 DTE Energy customers in metro Detroit without power, according to the energy company.
A total of 38,000 customers have been affected by heavy thunderstorms and gusty winds moving through southeastern Michigan. A concentration of the outages are in Wayne, Washtenaw and Livingston counties.
As of 9 p.m., there are no restoration estimates. DTE says once crews are able to evaluate the damage, restoration times will be provided.
As a safety precaution, if you see a downed power line, stay at least 20 feet away from it and always treat it like a live wire. Also, never use a portable generator inside of your home because it emits carbon monoxide, which can be deadly. Keep generators outside and away from windows.
Here are some additional storm safety tips to follow:
- Never drive across a downed power line. If a power line falls on your vehicle, remain inside until help arrives.
- Always operate generators outdoors to avoid dangerous buildup of toxic fumes.
- Don’t open refrigerators or freezers more often than absolutely necessary. A closed refrigerator will stay cold for 12 hours. Kept closed, a well-filled freezer will preserve food for two days.
- Turn off or unplug all appliances to prevent an electrical overload when power is restored. Leave on one light switch to indicate when power is restored.
- If a customer is elderly or has a medical condition that would be adversely impacted by a power outage, they should try to make alternative accommodations with family or friends.
- During low-voltage conditions – when lights are dim and television pictures are smaller – shut off motor-driven appliances such as refrigerators to prevent overheating and possible damage. Sensitive electronic devices also should be unplugged.
- Stay out of flooded or damp basements or other areas if water is in contact with outlets or any electrically-operated appliance. The water or moisture may serve as a conductor of electricity. This can cause serious or even fatal injury.
- Assemble an emergency kit. It should include a battery-powered radio, a flashlight and candles, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, bottled water, and non-perishable food.
- Customers who depend on electrically powered medical equipment should ask their physician about an emergency battery back-up system. If a customer is elderly or has a medical condition that would be adversely impacted by a power outage, they should develop an emergency plan that allows for alternative accommodations with family or friends.
- Keep a corded or cell phone on hand because a cordless telephone needs electricity to operate. Also, customers should learn how to manually open automated garage doors.
- Customers who depend on a well for drinking water need to plan ahead on how they will obtain water. Store containers of water for cooking and washing.
View outage areas on the map here.
