The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning:

“…for Jackson County until 615 AM. At 532 AM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 5 miles northeast of Litchfield to 7 miles northwest of Pioneer, moving northeast at 70 mph. HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts. IMPACT…Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. Locations impacted include Jackson, Vandercook Lake, Brooklyn, Grass Lake, Leoni, Spring Arbor, Napoleon, Sandstone, Norvell, Pulaski, Concord, Horton, Hanover, Oak Point, Sunset Beach, Michigan Center, Munith. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.”

For updates, you can access the forecast on the main page of this website.

Trees can be stressed under these conditions–limbs or the whole tree may come down taking power lines with them.

If you need help, A Plus Electric is standing by.

The first concern is your safety and those around you. Consumers Energy says “stay at least 25 feet away from a downed wire.” They add “steer clear of water, trees, debris and fences” nearby and contact them as soon as possible (800-477-5050). Carl Evanson, A Plus Electric’s master electrician, adds another note of caution “a downed wire can electrify areas much farther away than you’d guess as electricity disburses in surprising ways. The results can be tragic.”

Consumers Energy is responsible to repair a downed wire up to the point where it touches your house. If any part of the lead-in to your house is damaged, you will need to call an electrician. That includes the mast.