Consumers Energy is preparing for possible outages. They are “closely monitoring several rounds of winter weather across the Lower Peninsula, including freezing rain tonight and late Thursday along with high winds early Friday.  This weather could result in power outages, downed wires and other safety hazards.”

If you experience downed wires, here is some useful information. For the Consumers Energy outage map, please click here. A Plus Electric is standing by to help, should you need it. Call (517) 529-0000 or click the button on the main page from your smart phone.

As of 11:30 am Tuesday, here is the National Weather Service forecast (you can get an updated forecast by clicking here and scrolling down).

Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 35. North northwest wind around 6 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.
Tonight
A chance of freezing rain and sleet between 9pm and midnight, then freezing rain. Low around 27. East southeast wind 8 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New ice accumulation of around a 0.2 of an inch possible. Little or no sleet accumulation expected.
Wednesday
Freezing rain likely before 11am, then rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 38. East wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New ice accumulation of around a 0.1 of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night
A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 33. East northeast wind around 7 mph.
Thursday
Rain. High near 49. East southeast wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday Night 
Rain likely before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Breezy. Friday NightMostly cloudy, with a low around 10.

Consumers Energy says its emergency public appeal to conserve natural gas is ending at midnight tonight (Thursday) for all customers – commercial, industrial and residential.  CE’s request that you turn down the heat began Wednesday after a morning fire at its Ray Natural Gas Compressor Station in Macomb County.  The incident reduced the amount of gas that could be delivered from underground storage located at the compressor station. This coincided with high demand due to extreme cold.

As repairs continue, one of the station’s three compressors is partially in service. 

Last night (Wednesday), CE CEO Patti Poppe made this appeal to customers.

CE says turn up the heat. Plus a significant warming trend is on the way that takes us from -15 this morning to 50 above on Monday.  The National Weather Service describes the trend in this forecast (always up to date by clicking this link and scrolling down).

Tonight
Snow showers likely, mainly after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around -4. Wind chill values as low as -18. South southwest wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday
A 40 percent chance of snow showers before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 17. Wind chill values as low as -9. Southeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to around 21 by 5am. South wind 6 to 11 mph.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Southwest wind 13 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers. Areas of fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. South southwest wind 8 to 10 mph.
Sunday
Areas of fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 46.
Sunday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers after 1am. Areas of fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Monday
Showers, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51.
Monday Night
A chance of rain showers, mixing with snow after midnight, then gradually ending. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.
Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 37.
Tuesday Night
Rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.
Wednesday
Rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 38.
Wednesday Night
A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.
Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 26.

Tonight the Clark Lake Spirit DamCam gives you a view of the lake that perhaps belies the current temperature– 0 degrees.

Just as an arctic blast chills Michigan to the bone, Consumers Energy is asking customers to reduce gas usage.  It’s the result of a fire at their Ray Natural Gas Compressor Station in Macomb County this morning.

According to CE, “all gas flow from the compressor station has been shut in until safety and damage assessments can be completed. Consumers Energy is activating natural gas peaking storage fields in Northville and St. Clair to help deliver natural gas to our customers. Natural gas is stored underground and reserved in these fields, which are activated when energy demand requires it. In addition, the company has reached out to its largest business customers to reduce gas usage while we continue to investigate the incident.”

CE is asking residents and businesses to reduce gas usage by doing the following:

“LOOK AT THERMOSTAT SETTINGS: Save energy while staying warm by setting your heat to a lower temperature. Use your programmable thermostat to set your heat at 65 degrees when you are home and 62 degrees when you are away for less than 5 hours.

“BUSINESS REDUCTION OF PROCESSES: The company is also encouraging industrial and business customers to temporarily reduce processes.

“SEAL & SHUT WINDOWS AND DOORS: Check for leaks in your windows and doors by feeling around for cool air. Also, please ensure all windows and doors are closed tightly.

CE CEO Patti Poppe delivered this appeal this evening (Wednesday, January 30)

Update Thursday morning from CE:

“Conservation, even by gas customers served by other utilities than Consumers Energy, is making a difference. This morning, we are cautiously optimistic that our public requests to reduce gas use are having a positive effect. Repairs at our Ray Compressor Station are ongoing and the station is partially in service, providing natural gas to our distribution system. However, with Thursday’s continued historically cold weather, we ask that conservation measures continue through the end of the day Friday, Feb. 1.”

Meanwhile, a change is coming most will welcome. By Saturday, the high will be 39, Sunday 46, and Monday 51.  After that temperatures settle back into a more typical January range.

As of Wednesday at 7:30 pm, here’s what the National Weather Service is saying (updated forecast always available by clicking here, and scrolling to the bottom of the page). 

Tonight
A chance of snow showers before 3am, then a slight chance of snow showers after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -16. Wind chill values as low as -36. West southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday
A 10 percent chance of snow showers before 7am. Increasing clouds and cold, with a high near -1. Wind chill values as low as -37. Southwest wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Thursday Night
Snow showers likely, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to around 0 by 4am. Wind chill values as low as -19. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 17. Wind chill values as low as -10. Southeast wind around 6 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12. South southeast wind 6 to 8 mph.
Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 39.
Saturday Night
A chance of rain and snow showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday
A chance of showers before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Monday
Showers likely, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 51.
Monday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.
Tuesday
A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37.
Tuesday Night
Rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.
Wednesday
A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38.

Whether intense cold or heat, A Plus Electric is ready to help if you have an electrical problem. Call (517) 529-0000 or click the emergency button on the main page from your smart phone.

Below, the Clark Lake Spirit DamCam looks out over a frigid Clark Lake.

The National Weather Service is pulling out the stops for a snowy Monday in Michigan.

Notice the comment pointing to scattered power outages. If you should experience a problem, know that A Plus Electric is ready to help. Reach out via the emergency button on the main page of this website or by calling (517) 529-0000.

If the line to your house goes down, what should you do? Click here for helpful information. Click to view the Consumers Energy Outage Map.

Here’s the Hazardous Weather Outlook, also from the National Weather Service.

What do things look like on this Sunday evening about 8:30 pm? Here’s a view from the Clark Lake Spirit DamCam of Ocean Beach Road.

For an update on weather anytime, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.

The National Weather Service says conditions could get rough. Included is a nasty winter mix of sleet and show, including up to 4 inches and ice accumulations of a quarter of an inch (see complete forecast below).

Freezing rain is tough on electrical service. Falling tree limbs can hit power lines, taking them down. Or just the added weight of ice forming on the lines can cause outages.

Click here to find out what you should do.

A Plus Electric is available at (517) 529-0000.

Here’s what the National Weather Service is saying:

Grand Haven, Jenison, Grand Rapids, Ionia, St. Johns, Holland, Hastings, Charlotte, Lansing, South Haven, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Jackson 332 PM EST Tue Jan 22 2019 …WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EST WEDNESDAY…

Mixed precipitation expected. Freezing rain…sleet and snow will continue for the rest of the afternoon and into tonight. Temperatures are forecast to climb above freezing late tonight into Wednesday morning…but impacts still look likely for the morning commute. Total snow accumulations of up to 4 inches and ice accumulations of up to a quarter of an inch are expected.

WHERE…Portions of south central and southwest Michigan.

WHEN…Until 9 AM EST Wednesday.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Plan on slippery dangerous road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening and Wednesday morning commutes.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Expect slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.

Ocean Beach Road from the Clark Lake Spirit DamCam at 9:20 pm Tuesday:

It sure feels like winter, even though we haven’t been hit like some parts of the country. What’s ahead? A winter weather advisory. The National Weather Service says total snow could be 3 to 5 inches along the I-94 corridor (7 pm Friday to 4 pm Saturday). Hopefully that won’t mean trouble for you. But if you have a downed power line, click here for some things to keep in mind.

Meanwhile, let’s rewind to a pleasant day last summer, when one of A Plus Electric’s valued customers spoke out about her experience.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Kelly Fuels showed the world how it has improved the whole “stopping for gas” experience.  The new Kelly Express Mart is now open at the M-50 intersection in Napoleon.  It features a brilliantly designed store as well as a place to fill it up your car, and all of it is totally in tune with today’s needs.  To celebrate the opening, they will be offering free pizza, hotdogs, and soft beverages on Saturday, November 3, from 11 am to 1 pm, while supplies last.

A Plus Electric was proud to turn on the lights at this location, but they didn’t stop there.  The A Plus team also electrified fueling, the big screen TVs, video games, refrigeration, and even the 37 security cameras.

Kelly Fuels was A Plus Electric’s very first client, and they still are…over a dozen years later.

Congrats to Rich Tallman and his awesome team!

Each year, Jackson Magazine asks people to vote for the area’s “best of.”  There are two rounds of voting.  The first is going on now.

Carl Evanson would love to have your vote.  His team works hard to provide the best.  To review a cross-section of what some customers have said, please click here.

Would you like to vote A Plus Electric as best electrician?  If so, please click here.

Pictured above are some of Carl’s team members.  They are standing in front of A Plus Electric’s new location located on Meridian Road (US127) between Jefferson and Reed Roads.  A Plus Electric’s move from the Hyde and Jefferson Roads location illustrate its success.

Why the move? “Being on major thoroughfare saves time in arriving at a customer’s home.  They know they can depend on us for quick, quality and affordable service.  This move boosts each one of those important qualities.”  The staff is happy about the move, too.  Carl is hearing “they look forward to more space for customer care and follow-through.

But the business didn’t start on Hyde Road.  It started in a closet.

It was on April 19, 2006, that Carl Evanson launched A Plus Electric.  Carl explains.  “It was a chilly 43 degrees at 5 o’clock that Wednesday morning, and that’s how I felt—a bit nervous, but excited.  I sat down with a blank paper in front of me at Bob Evans, ordered coffee, and began to sketch out a client list.”

“That’s where I stored my equipment–in a closet. For a while, I was the entire company.”   A year into the start-up, he hired his first employee, and then a second.  Both are still at A Plus Electric.   Today he has 13 electricians in the field, and four people in the office.

What were early challenges like? Carl says “we sacrificed…we took jobs anywhere, anytime, and did what it took, no matter what lay in front of us whether it be some knotty problem, snow or a midnight call. And we’re still the go-to guys because we haven’t let up.”

Looking back, Carl remarks “I am tremendously grateful to our customers and to our team who believe in their work–and perform like the pro’s they are.  Our business is built entirely on one customer recommending us to another, and you don’t get referrals unless you’re good at what you do.”  Carl notes “we serve homeowners, companies large and small, and are at construction sites.  Our team understands the need to innovate, and we’re very much at the heart of it, setting up sophisticated electronics at home or at work.”

Carl remembers that Wednesday in 2006 warmed up—to 71 degrees.  “I had filled my notebook with potential customers I planned to call on.”  Kelly Fuels was his first customer–and they still are!

Carl is not laid back when it comes to his profession. “I love to get my hands on a problem and solve it. I’m always up for a challenge, especially when a customer has been told ‘it can’t be done.’” Carl has plenty of examples when he turned a dead-end on its head and found the answer. “A frustrated home owner at Lake Columbia wanted an exhaust fan installed and was tired of hearing ‘no’ from others. The crew and I were able to figure it out and today that fan continues to bring in fresh air.”

If Carl’s team can do the so-called impossible, they are top of class at solving a wide range of everyday challenges. “Pleasing the customer is our priority, and our team can do it with a total of 90 years of professional experience equipped with the latest high-tech tools and 13 service vehicles.” So after a visit, problems like these become mere memories—circuits not working or breakers tripping, power out, no heat, water pump dead, outlets not working. A Plus is expert at installation and service of generators, outdoor lighting, ceiling fans, and timers.

A Plus Electric also takes on unusual jobs. “A church asked us to illuminate their stained glass windows.” The windows had to be removed, cleaned and reinstalled with the new lighting. “We have a strong network and sometimes we’ll bring in other high-quality contractors and coordinate the work if the job requires it.”

Face time with a customer is important to Carl. “This is a local community and my company is built on the expertise of a local team; we’re not a franchise. We know our reputation counts.” And he has a reputation for getting face time fast. “People are amazed at what doesn’t work when the power’s out, and that’s why quick-to-scene is an important part of our mission.” The website now has an emergency button. Press it for a response any time day or night. “After all, problems don’t occur on an 8 to 5 schedule.”

What about the cost? “We know people have budgets, and the cost of calling for help is an add-on.” A Plus Electric is aware of the area’s high rates and keeps theirs low.

Whether it’s fixing a light fixture or boring a line under to power that garage door opener, it’s all part of the A Plus Electric service. Carl’s leadership is aimed at customer satisfaction. “It’s absolutely essential—our thirteen years of solid growth has been built on referrals. And you don’t get them unless you get the job done right.”

Have you met Carl Evanson? If so, you know Carl is a man with a mission and brings a lot of energy to his business.  Please vote for the home team–A Plus Electric!

 

 

Starting with the early days of A Plus Electric, Ann Swain has been an important part of this growing business.  In appreciation, Carl Evanson wanted to thank her for her work, help and support that has stretched over more than a decade. Thursday afternoon, he asked the staff to gather at A Plus’s new location.  There he surprised Ann with an award.  Engraved on it were the words “Ann Swain, Honorary Electrician.”  Carl thanked her for her extraordinary service, “We have a lot of great people here.  And Ann,  you’re one of them.  You have done so many wonderful things for us.  Thank you!”

When the construction is finished, A Plus will operate from the new location on US 127, between Jefferson and Reed Roads, Clark Lake.  Thursday’s meeting was a good opportunity for the staff to check out progress on the new facility.  Some of the crew gathered outside for this photo.

 

This iconic event attracts nearly 800 competitors.  Add to that the many spectators who viewed it all around the course at Clark Lake, and you have a day that everyone looks forward to every year.  Today marked the 43rd year of Run Clark Lake.  The events included a 12k, 5k, 5k Walk, and 3/4k Kids Fun Run.

A Plus Electric’s Carl Evanson and his family showed their support by participating in the Kids Fun Run.

Below, Carl and his kids gather with others as they line up for the competition.

How did it go?  Check out this slide show.

For complete coverage of this event, including an awesome 60-second video, please click here.