(WWJ) A crippling ice storm has left some 145,000 Northern Michigan residents without power and even more stuck inside their homes.
According to Michigan State Police, Otsego County's Emergency Management Office has issued a Shelter in Place for all county residents for the next 24 hours (posted at 3:05 p.m.) due to "hazardous downed power lines and debris."
"Only travel if you have an emergency," the alert reads.
National Weather Service Gaylord Meteorologist, Sean Christensen, told WWJ ice has accumulated on trees, power lines and buildings.
"Accumulations I've seen across Northern Michigan range from half-an-inch to as high as an inch of ice build up," he said. "So, as you can imagine, a lot of weight is hanging on these trees, limbs and power lines."
Former WDIV-Channel 4 business reporter, Rod Meloni, moved to the Cheboygan area with his wife following his retirement.
"There are trees down everywhere," he said live on WWJ. "... When you read the social media stuff, everyone says if you go out in the yard, you can hear the trees cracking. And the (trees) are all bending over, and there are branches down everywhere."
He said libraries, restaurants, and nearly every business is closed.
"We'll see in the next day or two how people hold up," Meloni said. He added his internet, cable and power are all out.
He's not alone.
Consumer's Energy said they have over 600 crews in the field right now, from both in state and out of state, to get the lights and heat back on.
“The safety and comfort of our customers is our top priority today, especially as we brace for more severe weather,” Norm Kapala, one of Consumers Energy’s officers in charge the storm response, said in a press release. “Mother Nature has thrown a tremendous challenge at Michigan, and we’re determined to respond, to get the lights back on and to help so many communities recover.”
According to the power company, "the majority" of Northern Michigan residents will be back on the grid by Tuesday. However, "the hardest hit areas" may not be back online until Wednesday, they said.
Other counties that found themselves under a Shelter In Place included Montmorency and Cheboygan.
Available shelters include Lewiston Catholic Church in Lewiston, Hillman Fire Hall in Hillman and Atlanta Community Schools.