JACKSON, Mich. -- Consumers Energy has mobilized about 200 company and contractor crews to be ready to respond Sunday to possible damage from brisk winds and heavy rain.
It said in a news release it is staging lineworkers in Grand Rapids, Jackson and Mount Pleasant to be close to potentially harder-hit areas. Lineworkers will be prepared to work overnight to start restoring power. Consumers Energy said the repair crews can work as long as 16 hours at a time, allowing an around-the-clock response that will continue until power is restored to everyone.
It said it is also preparing for another wave of severe weather that may strike the state Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Here is more information from the news release:
“We want our friends and neighbors to know we’ll be prepared in case this one-two punch of stormy weather causes damage or knocks out power in the next few days,” said Greg Salisbury, Consumers Energy’s president of electric distribution. “We’re closely watching the weather forecast and are making sure our crews are in the best position to restore power to our customers who count on us.”
To help the public prepare for what to do before, during and after a storm, Consumers Energy encourages customers to visit ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter for tips. Customers also can visit the online outage map, report an outage and sign up for power restoration updates. Customers should also download the Consumers Energy app.
Some tips to prepare for possible severe weather:
- Charge all electronic devices. It’s advised to have an emergency battery or charging station available for use during an outage.
- Have an emergency kit that includes flashlights and extra batteries, water, canned food and blankets. Be prepared with enough medication, baby supplies and pet food if applicable. A battery-operated radio is also a good idea.
- Unplug sensitive electronics like TVs, computers and printers. Turn power strips off.
Consumers Energy urges the public to keep important safety tips in mind:
- Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines, and to report unguarded downed lines by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Consumers Energy reminds people that falsely calling in downed lines actually slows down the restoration process for everyone.
- 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.
- 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. Read more guidance on safe generator use here.
- Consumers Energy will trim or remove trees interfering with electric restoration activities. Once safe to do so, clean-up of debris from tree trimming or removal during a storm emergency is the responsibility of individual property owners.