Michigan ice storm: 495K utility customers in the dark as lines, trees snap (2024)

A rare winter ice storm is leaving thousands of Michiganders in the dark as heavy ice rips down tree limbs and power lines across the state.

As of Wednesday night 11:30pm, DTE's outage map shows over 314,533 customers are currently without power. While Consumers Energy's outage map shows over 180,870 customers reported power outages.

Altogether, over 495,403 customers throughout the state are experiencing power interruptions. High winds are expected to continue Thursday, potentially extending the significant power outages.

"DTE’s storm response team, including 1,500 lineworkers and hundreds of wire down guard teams, has been activated and is ready to respond to power outages caused by this storm," according to a news release. "DTE has also secured more than 400 out-of-state crews who have arrived in Michigan and are ready to assist with restoration efforts."

Consumers Energy has 85 crews in the field, attempting to restore power, according to the map.

An ice storm warning remains in effect until 4 a.m. Thursday for Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, St. Clair, Monroe, Lenawee, Allegan, Barry, Eaton, Ingham, Calhoun, Jackson, Van Buren and Kalamazoo county until 4 a.m. Thursday. Wayne County is under a winter weather advisory, according to the National Weather Service in White Lake.

It's a good idea, the weather watchers added, to pack an emergency kit in your car and charge up your electronic devices — just in case.

Michigan weather radar

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Michigan ice storm: 495K utility customers in the dark as lines, trees snap (1)

More:23 million Americans under winter storm warnings as blizzards barrel across Midwest, West

Ice accumulation and Thursday's forecast

According to the NWS White Lake office, as of 6 p.m. Wednesday, official ice accumulations are:

  • Wayne County: 0.15 inches
  • Washtenaw County: 0.2 inches
  • Oakland County: 0.25 inches

Freezing rain will "move out late tonight," said NWS White Lake meteorologist Trent Frey. "For tomorrow, it's looking like things will still be pretty slick in the morning, but we'll eventually warm up into the 40s. ... around 2 or 3 p.m."

Winds will be gusting up to 40 mph in the late afternoon into the evening in the southeast Michigan area, he said.

'It looks pretty dicey'

Rain, ice, sleet, snow — "a little bit of everything," is expected Wednesday as winter storms are expected to sweep from the West to the East Coast, National Weather Service meteorologist Dave Gurney said. "It looks pretty dicey. Take it easy on the morning commute."

Midwest cities prepare

The cause of the warnings and advisories: a massive winter storm is barreling across the country with dangerous conditions landing farther east, and an ice storm slicing across several Midwestern states and snow and sleet reaching the Northeast.

Residents in Western states and the Plains have faced severe winter weather for several days already this week. Tuesday, in anticipation of the storm, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued an emergency order to activate the National Guard and urged residents to get ready for what could be a record snowstorm.

More:Ice can be deadly this time of year: What to do if you fall through

AAA ready for calls

The AAA auto club said it is bracing for winter weather conditions throughout the state of Michigan, and is expecting to receive a number of road service calls to pull vehicles out of ditches, jump dead batteries and inflate flat tires.

"We’re urging motorists to follow the advice of local authorities and stay home if you can," Adrienne Woodland, a spokesperson for AAA, said. "If you must get on the road, be sure to have at least a half tank of gas, significantly reduce your speed and stay off closed roads.”

What to do if stuck

If there is a problem on the road, the auto club urges motorists to:

  • Stay in the vehicle. Your car can provide shelter, allowing emergency responders to best locate you.
  • Don’t leave the car running. If there is an extended traffic jam, turn off the engine for a while, then back on.
  • Keep the exhaust pipe snow-free.If blocked, deadly carbon monoxidecould back up into the car.
  • Avoid driving on shoulders or medians of highways. They need to be kept clear for first responders.
  • Cold weather can affect batteries. In electric vehicles, it can shorten the distance it can go.

Roadway safety

If you must be on the road, tips include:

  • Check the weather before setting out, and be prepared to change plans if necessary.
  • Drive at a safe speed. Keep in mind visibility and stopping ability may be diminished.
  • Increasing following distances (normally three to four seconds) to eight to 10 seconds.
  • Allow sufficient room for maintenance vehicles and plows, staying at least 200 feetback.
  • Watch for icy surfaces on bridges and intersections, even if the rest of the road seems to be in good condition.
  • Avoid braking on ice. If you’re approaching a patch of ice, brake during your approach.

Michigan traffic updates

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USA Today and Free Press writer Nour Rahal contributed to this report.

Michigan ice storm: 495K utility customers in the dark as lines, trees snap (2024)

FAQs

What happens to trees and power lines in an ice storm? ›

Power lines can be affected in three ways (or a combination thereof); the weight of the ice, tree branches breaking and falling onto the line, or wind causing the lines to sway. Half an inch of ice can add as much as 500 pounds to a power line, and damage can begin when accumulations exceed a quarter of an inch.

Why do trees break in ice storms? ›

Tree architecture plays an important role in ice storm susceptibility. As the surface area of lateral branches increases, more ice can accumulate on lateral branches. Greater ice loading results in greater branch failure.

Why do ice storms cause power outages? ›

Winter storms can severely damage power lines by weighing lines down with ice, causing trees to fall into power lines, or creating hazardous road conditions resulting in automobile accidents with power poles. All of these scenarios can create prolonged power outages.

What is a disruptive ice storm? ›

Disruptive ice storms are typically an ice accumulation of ¼ of an inch to ½ of an inch. During these storms, there can be power outages and sagging or breaking tree limbs. The most dangerous ice storm is the crippling variety.

How much ice before power lines break? ›

About a quarter-inch of ice accumulation from freezing rain is enough to cause power outages and disruption. Severe freezing rain or ice storms with a half-inch or more accumulation can cause widespread, prolonged outages. Local infrastructure and conditions also influence the extent of the damage.

Why do they cut trees around power lines? ›

Electric Utility Companies Trim and Remove Trees Near High Voltage Power Lines for Public Safety, Fire Prevention, and Electric Reliability. To prevent injury to people climbing or working in or around trees adjacent to power lines. Any portion of a tree in contact with high voltage power lines can start wild fires.

How to protect a tree from an ice storm? ›

Prepare your trees for winter weather

Pruning is another pre-winter task to help eliminate already weak and broken branches. Reducing the length of over-extended branches is one important way to prevent them from breaking. Proper pruning is the best way to stop ice from damaging your trees.

Should I knock ice off my tree? ›

DURING THE ICE STORM

Do not try and knock off the ice as this will likely cause the limb to break from the shock. Trees are designed to stretch and bend. Any quick shocks or instant bends will cause them to break far easier than if they bend slowly.

Why do trees not freeze? ›

They have bark

Bark provides insulation and protection against freezing and cracking during the winter. Tree bark comes in different textures, densities, and colors - variations that can help a tree tolerate cold temperatures by reflecting light and dispersing heat.

Where was the worst ice storm in history? ›

The North American Ice Storm of 1998 (also known as the Great Ice Storm of 1998 or the January Ice Storm) was a massive combination of five smaller successive ice storms in January 1998 that struck a relatively narrow swath of land from eastern Ontario to southern Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in Canada, and ...

Will ice in fridge help during power outage? ›

Power Outage Expected to Last More Than a Day

An ice chest packed with ice or snow can keep food cold. Bags of ice or block ice can be purchased and placed in the refrigerator to keep food cold. Dry ice from a local ice company or grocery store can help save frozen food.

How long do ice storms typically last? ›

How long do ice storms last? While the storm itself can last anywhere from a few hours to several days, the after-effects of winter storms can be long-lasting and even more damaging than the actual storm itself.

How bad is a quarter inch of ice? ›

A quarter inch of ice will glaze roads and seriously impact travel, result in some tree damage, and cause power outages. However, when ice accumulates to one half inch or more the major and crippling effects of ice storms occur.

How much weight does ice add to a tree branch? ›

*Ice can increase the weight of branches by 30 times. *A one-half inch ice accumulation on power lines can add 500 pounds of extra weight.

Is 2 tenths of an inch of ice a lot? ›

Roads will be snow-covered and slick. But if we tell someone to expect one or two-tenths of an inch of ice, it seems like a small number and doesn't really mean much. Anything under a tenth of an inch is usually considered a glazing, and a quarter-inch or more is usually where you see significant damage.

What to do with trees after ice storm? ›

The best management practice for helping a tree that has broken branches due to snow and ice is to trim those branches leaving a clean cut rather than a jagged break. Leaving a break rather than having a clean cut will prevent the tree from naturally healing the wound and this opening will lead to decay in the tree.

What happens when power lines freeze? ›

In essence, the wires encased in ice act like an aerodynamic airplane wing. This is known as “galloping.” Galloping can cause wires to eventually touch, resulting in a fault or subsequent power outage. The increased movement can also cause cross-arms to break, bringing lines to the ground.

Why is ice bad for power lines? ›

Ice accretion can form on powerlines, and when it does, it can cause a short circuit and result in an outage. Ice can weigh down power lines, making them more liable to snap or break. Damage can start to occur when there is as little as a quarter-inch of ice on the line!

What happens to trees in a storm? ›

Excessive winds uproot large trees with weak root systems. Tree trunks fail at their weakest points, causing them to snap or break. Winds causing a twist of the trunk can leave dangerous splits and cracks. The response to storm damage should be based primarily on two concepts: risk and sustainability.

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