Consumers Energy readies crews ahead of two waves of severe weather

JACKSON, Mich. (WNEM) — Consumers Energy is preparing crews for restoration efforts as two waves of inclement weather are expected to sweep across the state on Wednesday and Thursday.

The utility company is urging customers to get ready for both extreme heat and storms. Both waves pose the risk of severe thunderstorms, high winds, flooding and isolated tornadoes, according to Consumers Energy.

“We understand losing power can be inconvenient for our customers, especially during periods of extreme weather,” said Norm Kapala, Consumers Energy vice president of grid operations, restoration and work management. “Our customers can count on us to monitor the weather and respond accordingly with resources pre-staged across the state.”

Consumers Energy urges the public to keep important safety tips in mind:

Be alert to crews working along roadsides. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they can go safely past.Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines and report unguarded downed lines by calling 911 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050.Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement, enclosed patio or near any air intakes. Doing so could cause a generator to produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas.Consumers Energy will trim or remove trees interfering with electric restoration activities. Once safe to do so, cleanup of debris from tree trimming or removal during a storm emergency is the responsibility of individual property owners.In some cases, the mast that holds the electric service wires to a 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.

Consumers will post the status of outages online. Customers can also sign up for outage alerts and restoration times sent to a phone or email address.

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