(WWJ) - A powerful system of fast-moving storms blew through Metro Detroit Thursday morning, leaving behind thousands without power and debris scattered over roadways.
WWJ's Mike Campbell reported from Novi Road near 12 Oaks Mall in Oakland County where strong winds blew down tall trees and left the area around the shopping center in the dark.
Novi Road was closed between I-96 and Grand River Avenue due to non-operating traffic lights and clean up efforts. Campbell said powerlines were down along the road and DTE crews were on site working to restore power.
Some businesses in the area were forced to close, but others were unaffected. Leaves and tree branches littered the 12 Oaks Mall parking lot, but the shopping center remained open to customers, Campbell said.
According to the DTE outage map, roughly 13,000 people were without power as of 12:40 p.m., mainly in the Green Oak Township, South Lyon and Novi areas. Outages were also reported near South Rockwood and the Thumb region.
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The energy company said multiple power outages were due to wind and tree damage.
"Portions of our service territory experienced severe weather resulting in power outages," DTE said on their website. "There is a possibility for additional severe weather today. Our crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power, and we will call in additional support from outside our area as needed. Please be safe and remember to stay at least 20 feet from any downed power lines — assume they are live and dangerous."
Wind gusts of near 50 mph were reported in Huron County near Caseville and a wind gust of 67 mph was reported in Saginaw County just after 4 a.m. on Tuesday.
There were also several trees reported down in Green Oak Township, southeast of Brighton.
So far, WWJ has not heard of any injuries from the mid-morning storms.
Novi Police said they are working on reopening Novi Road, but the road closure is causing traffic back ups along alternate routes on Grand River, I-96 and Beck Road.
You can stay up-to-date with the latest traffic and weather updates by listening to WWJ LIVE on the 8s.
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