In the latest count as of this evening, Consumers Energy reports that over 260,000 customers have experienced power outages since Tuesday.  The cause?  Roaring winds, reaching 65 mph, hit some areas of Michigan hard.

Some 3000 power lines are down and 500 utility poles were felled.  Late this afternoon, Consumers indicated over 18,000 people in Jackson County were without power. This photo, by Ann Swain, shows a pole down this afternoon on Clark Lake Road near M-50.

Consumers Energy outage map, as of 8:30 pm today, shows many areas still without power.

You can view an updated version of this outage map by clicking here.

If you have suffered storm damage, A Plus Electric can help.  You can reach A Plus Electric by phone at 517-529-0000–or from your cell phone by clicking the emergency button on the main page of this website.

Consumers Energy suggests great care if dealing with a downed power line.

·       Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines and to call 911 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050.
·       Be alert to crews working along roads. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they safely can go past workers on roadsides.
·       If using a generator, contact a licensed electrician to ensure that it is properly connected and make certain it is isolated from the company’s electric distribution system. Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement or near any air intakes, and never fuel a generator when it is running. Operating a generator without proper ventilation can create carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas.
·       In some cases, the mast which holds the electric service wires to a customer’s home or business may have been damaged or torn away. Crews will reconnect the wires to a home, but only a licensed electrician can repair or replace a mast or a cable.

Here’s a list of the hardest counties.  As of 4 pm: Alcona (2,351); Allegan (5,989); Antrim (540); Arenac (754); Barry (6,275); Bay (1,630); Branch (2,776);  Calhoun (9,825); Clare (935); Clinton (2,545); Eaton (4,738); Genesee (17,247); Gladwin (830); Grand Traverse (242); Gratiot (4,027); Hillsdale (3,556); Ingham (6,300); Ionia (9,256);  Iosco (952); Isabella (780); Jackson (18,274); Kalamazoo (16,994); Kent (38,438); Lenawee (9,040); Livingston (2,664); Mecosta (2,818); Midland (5,785); Monroe (4,827); Montcalm (5,722); Newaygo (1,996); Oakland (1,127); Ogemaw (370); Ottawa (2,847); Roscommon (1,870); Saginaw (7,285); Shiawassee (4,169); St. Joseph (1,200); VanBuren (1,874); Washtenaw (1,297)  and Wexford (936).