Over 37,000 DTE and Consumer's Energy customers without power as high winds hit Southeast Michigan
Strong wind gusts battering Michigan on Wednesday are causing widespread power outages, with more than 20,000 DTE Energy customers in the dark, and the number is quickly climbing. There are Consumers Energy customers without power as well.
The National Weather Service (NWS) office in White Lake issued a wind advisory for southeast Michigan until 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. According to DTE Energy, there are over 100 field workers out trying to fix the outages.
DTE Energy reported some 20,000 customers without power due to high winds. Consumers Energy, the state's largest utility, said nearly 17,000 customers are in the dark.
Wind Advisory remains in effect for all of SE MI today through 4 PM. Wind gusts of 45-55 mph will be possible, with peak winds between 11 AM and 2 PM. #miwx pic.twitter.com/PDXolffPHA
— NWS Detroit (@NWSDetroit) February 15, 2023
The forecast calls for 20-30 mph southwest winds with wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph. The strongest wind is expected to sweep through the area by 2 p.m.
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Temperatures are expected to stay in the 50s.
Gusts will gradually decrease through the evening, the agency said.
For now, the agency said, residents should secure loose outdoor objects and use caution driving. Watch out for tree limbs or down wires that have fallen because of the wind.
Looking further into the week, NWS said there is a chance for a wintery weather mix Thursday with snow and sleet north of I-69. Light rain, freezing rain sleet near M-59 and I-96. Rain is expected closer to the Michigan and Ohio line.
Any precipitation that is created during this wintery mix has the potential to turn into ice because temperatures are expected to drop Thursday going into Friday according to NWS.
Friday will see a decrease in warm temperatures with the averages going back between 21 to 30 degrees. The weekend is expected to be dry for Saturday and Sunday plus temperatures will possibly reach back up to the upper 40s.
Next week temperatures are expected to drop back down to the regular mid-30s but NWS said that right now it's too early to really determine if it's going to be rain or snow.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 37,000 Michigan utility customers without power due to wind
