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Consumers Energy is ready to respond as ice storm creates power outages

Downed power lines
Posted at 5:39 PM, Jan 01, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-14 16:52:44-05

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. — With winter weather comes power outages, and southwest Michigan is seeing ice storm effects that's making those chances more likely.

In addition to icy roads, power outages are always a concern in winter weather.

Crews at Consumers Energy are ready to respond should there be any outages Friday night and into the weekend.

They said their biggest concern in winter weather is the ice.

Consumers Energy said just half an inch of ice can add around 500 pounds of weight to a power line, causing them to come down and/or create outages.

Like any other vehicles, their bucket trucks aren't the best in icy conditions, but they work as quickly and safely as they can to get everything back up and running.

"We have been watching this very closely for the last several days. Even though it is a holiday, we are ready to go. We make sure we have staff available weeks in advance to cover holiday time, so we’ve got the men and women ready to go and the equipment ready to go," said Consumers Energy's Senior Public Information Officer Roger Morgenstern.

If you are experiencing an outage, Consumers Energy said you can report it by clicking here.

You can also monitor alerts and statuses as well as see outages on their interactive map by clicking here.

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