(WXYZ) — Hundreds of thousands of people lost power across metro Detroit following storms on Wednesday night and Thursday morning and afternoon.
See the latest update in the video below
Severe storms rolled through the area, and 15,411 customers are without power as of 7:32 p.m. Sunday, according to the DTE Outage map. Power has been restored to more than 90% of those impacted, DTE says.
DTE and the city of Detroit provide an update Friday afternoon below:
During a Friday morning press conference, DTE says it is aiming to have power restored for 65% of customers impacted by the end of the day. It's expecting to have 95% of power restored by the end of day Saturday and the issue fully resolved by the end of day Sunday.
Jerry Tullio, director of regional customer operations, said the multiple storms impacted the Southeast Michigan area from as far as Howell and Brighton to Mount Clemens and Marysville. More than 300,000 customers lost power.
Watch the Friday morning update from DTE below:
Tullio says DTE started with about 2,400 storm response members, including 800 lineman from out of town. By the end of Friday, he says they expect to have about 4,000 storm response members, with about 1,500 out-of-state lineman.
Related video: NWS to survey Detroit's east side for potential tornado
As more showers and storms move through the area Friday, Tullio is hoping the impact is not as large but says DTE is prepared with the additional lineman working to restore power.
Tullio said power was restored to about 70,000 customers throughout the night Thursday into Friday. Power is back for about 145,000 since the first storms moved through this week.
Related video: Severe storms leave trail of destruction, sparking fire
"We know how challenging it is to be without power. Our Storm Response Teams are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power to everyone impacted. Please be safe and remain at least 25 feet away from downed power lines or anything in contact with them. Assume any downed line is live and dangerous. And please remember to report your outage to receive restoration updates," DTE said.
The National Weather Service said it is now going to survey Detroit's east side to determine if a tornado touched down; if so, it would be the first one in the Detroit area since 1997.
Related video: Storm leaves thousands of Detroiters in the dark
As a safety precaution, if you see a downed power line, stay at least 25 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.
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