News Summary

Severe thunderstorms hit Michigan on May 15, leaving over 260,000 residents without power. Restoration efforts are underway, with some areas projected to remain without power until May 21. The storms brought winds exceeding 70 mph and confirmed tornadoes, impacting communities including Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. Utility companies are mobilizing crews to expedite repairs and restore electricity, while residents are urged to stay safe and report hazards.

Lansing, Michigan – Severe thunderstorms that swept through Michigan on Thursday, May 15, have left over 260,000 residents without power, with restoration efforts currently underway. As of Friday afternoon, May 16, nearly 230,000 of those electric customers remain in the dark, although that number has decreased significantly since the morning storms.

The winds during the storms exceeded 70 mph, and the National Weather Service confirmed at least two tornadoes touched down, with the storms primarily impacting southwest Michigan late Thursday into early Friday. Areas such as Kalamazoo and Battle Creek were particularly hard-hit, prompting concerns about power restoration timelines.

Consumers Energy officials anticipate that power could be restored to most customers by late Saturday evening, May 17. However, those in hard-hit regions like Kalamazoo and Battle Creek may not see power back until late Sunday, May 18. Some residents in Lansing have been warned that they could remain without power until May 21.

In response to the outages, Consumers Energy has mobilized 477 line crews to address the damage, with a total of 550 crews expected to be deployed throughout the restoration process. Mobile command centers have been established in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek to coordinate efforts amid additional storms forecasted for late Friday.

By Friday afternoon, Consumers Energy reported approximately 177,871 customers without power. In addition, DTE Energy indicated over 5,400 outages in southeast Michigan, while Indiana Michigan Power had reported about 26,000 outages as of 2 p.m. on Friday. Over 4,800 outage incidents were registered, affecting around 175,000 customers across cities including Alma, Coldwater, Flint, and Grand Rapids. Great Lakes Energy also reported 1,781 customers experiencing outages in west Michigan.

The storms have caused significant disruptions, affecting not only residential areas but also schools. Efforts are being made to restore service quickly to ensure that educational institutions can reopen by Monday morning, May 18.

Safety remains a priority during the restoration process, with utility companies advising residents to treat all downed power lines as live and to maintain a safe distance. It is crucial for residents to exercise caution and report any hazards they encounter during this time.

The National Weather Service confirmed the minimum level of tornadoes, known as EF-0, with peak winds reaching 80 mph near Battle Creek. In Eaton County, there are reports of a confirmed tornado, although additional validation from the NWS is pending. These natural events have left communities grappling with the challenges posed by severe weather.

As restoration continues, both utility companies and emergency services work diligently to return the power and assist affected residents. Consumers Energy and DTE Energy, among others, are dedicated to repairing the infrastructure and ensuring that everyday life can resume for Michiganders impacted by this unexpected weather event.

The situation continues to evolve as restoration teams work tirelessly to manage and reduce outages. Residents will be kept informed about restoration progress and safety recommendations as crews assess and address the ongoing challenges brought on by the severe thunderstorms.