(WWJ) It's hot and dark inside more than 800,000 homes and businesses impacted by storm-related power outages across Lower Michigan.
As of 11:45 a.m. Thursday, DTE Energy reported more than 616,000 of its customers were without power — the highest number the utility has seen in years.
Meanwhile, Consumers Energy reported more than 250,000 additional customer outages Thursday morning.
In a message Thursday morning, DTE Energy wrote:
"Our teams will be working around the clock to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. We have called in additional out-of-state linemen to help with restoration efforts. Stay at least 20 feet away from all downed power lines and anything they’re in contact with and consider them energized and dangerous."
The largest outage clusters were to the west of metro Detroit.
Several thousand were in the Howell area, while there were also major outages around Brighton, Hamburg and Chelsea, Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor.
Additionally, there were reports of large outages in Farmington and Farmington Hills, Westland, Canton, Garden City and Inkster.
There’s also a big outage area near Mt. Clemens are Harrison Township, with over 2,500 customers.
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The storm that came through yesterday afternoon was packing high winds, bringing down tree limbs and power lines.
A gust of 75 miles per hour was reported at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County. A 60 miles per hour wind gust was reported at Willow Run Airport near Ypsilanti. A gust of 58 miles per hour was reported in Ann Arbor. Trees were toppled in Lenawee County where winds topped 70 miles per hour.
Where traffic lights are out, Michigan State Police say drivers should treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
Meanwhile, there was a heat advisory in effect in Southeast Michigan, leading to concern about people staying cool indoors without air conditioning.
DTE said crews are on top of it, and are working in outage areas to get power restored as quickly as possible. There were nearly 400 crews in the field as of Wednesday evening.
The utility said it has also called in additional out-of-state lineman to help with restoration efforts. Restoration estimates will be updated on outage.dteenergy.com.
Residents are reminded to stay at least 20 feet away from all power lines and anything they are in contact with and consider them live.
Unfortunately, metro Detroit isn't quite out of the woods yet, with the possibility of heavy storms returning overnight.
For the latest updates, keep your radio tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for traffic and weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s. Want to listen to WWJ on your phone or tablet? Download the FREE Audacy app.
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