Weather service: 'Severe threat has ended;' but 184,000 in Michigan without power
From Grand Rapids to Saginaw, thunderstorms rumbled across Michigan, bringing with them torrential rain, high winds and power outages. But, forecasters said, Wednesday's weather did not appear to cause as much damage as initially feared — or ruin the Beyoncé concert in Detroit.
Metro Detroit was under a severe thunderstorm watch until 7 p.m., but then another wave of thundershowers hit. The additional showers were less extreme, with only 40-50 mph winds, lightning and more rain, but continued to pound the state.
At about 9 p.m., the City of Grosse Pointe warned that power lines to the pump station were down and advised residents with basements to move their valuables in case of flooding.
Before 11 p.m., the National Weather Service tweeted the "severe threat" across southeast Michigan was over.
Thursday, however, Michiganders must contend with the cleanup, and the heat with temperatures in the 90s. With the humidity, it will feel like it's almost 100 degrees — a potential danger especially to elderly people with no electricity, which, DTE said could take days to restore.
The fast-moving storms knocked out electricity to about 184,000 utility customers by 10 p.m., which the power companies said they are seeking to repair as quickly as they can. There could be even more unreported outages. There also was some flooding in Muskegon.
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In addition to the high winds and rain, weather forecasters had warned Michiganders in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula to be prepared for tornadoes and quarter-size hail. Neither, by late Wednesday afternoon, seemed to have materialized.
Still, the Detroit Tigers game that was scheduled for Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels was postponed. A doubleheader is now slated for Thursday.
Throughout the day, the weather service issued a flurry of cautions and alerts to keep people safe, including marine warnings, several severe thunderstorm watches, that turned into warnings, and even a tornado warning in Ingham County.
In Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Saline, winds reportedly were gusting to 70 mph.
There was a report of missing young people lost in kayaks in an Ann Arbor park, but they are safe. In addition, the city told residents to "stay out of the Huron River," because power lines were down in the water, near 2200 Fuller Court.
Consumers Energy said it was prepared for the damaging winds, storms and extreme heat. As of 2:45 p.m. Thursday, it reported 13,820 customers without power. DTE Energy, which serves residents and businesses in metro Detroit, had 164,223 reported outages.
In addition, the Great Lakes Water Authority — which provides drinking water treatment, drinking water distribution, wastewater collection and wastewater treatment — urged residents to be on "high alert and be prepared," warning residents in low-lying areas and who have previously received flooding.
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Thursday, Michiganders will have to face the heat.
The Detroit Area Agency on Aging warned that the heat, with temperatures in the 90s, could affect older adults and people with disabilities, leading to heat-related illnesses. Signs include headache, dizziness, nausea, heavy sweating, confusion, and pale or flushed skin.
The agency urged folks to stay cool and hydrated, and "to help check in on our older adults."
Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Storms pass, leaving more than 184,000 in Michigan without electricity
