(WWJ) Many Metro Detroiters were awakened by tornado sirens early Friday morning, after strong storms swept across the state overnight.
To the west, a tornado touchdown was confirmed in southwest of Lansing in Eaton County, in the area of Canal Road and Creyts roads, according to the National Weather Service. Reports in the area said several utility poles and power lines were brought down, and roads were closed as crews worked to clear the debris.
Further details — such as the strength or injury reports — were not immediately released.
Statewide, more than 200,000 homes and business were left without power.
As of 9 a.m. Friday, Consumers Energy was reporting over 186,000 outages, primarily on the west side of the state.
Consumers spokesman Brian Wheeler said most of the outages were in Muskegon, Kalamazoo and Lansing, with numerous downed trees and power lines. He said repairs are underway.
"We have about 500 crews that are on our system that will be working on the electric grid today," Wheeler said. "We're still mindful that there's going to be some more high winds that could be affecting the restoration work, but those crews are ready."
In Metro Detroit, DTE Energy said there were 9,000 outages Friday morning, with suburbs north and west of the City of Detroit hit the hardest.
Chief Matthew Weil of the North Oakland County Fire Authority said there's been significant damage in their coverage area — including several oak trees down outside of their fire station.
"And we've been out since about midnight when the storm hit, clearing roads and working with wires down and so forth," Weil said, in a Facebook video. "If everybody could do us a solid favor: If your road is completely blocked 100%, and you can't get by, go ahead and call and we will come out and get a lane of traffic open for ya."
The Holly area was pretty hard-hit, WWJ's Mike Campbell reported, with multiple big trees down, and plenty of power outages.
All weather watches and warnings from overnight and early in the morning have since expired.
However, WWJ AccuWeather Meteorologist Joe Lundberg said there could be another thunderstorm or two in Metro Detroit Friday night as a front moves through the area.
After that round of storms moves out, he said cold air will come rushing in.
Saturday through the Memorial Day weekend, Lundberg said we're looking at much cooler temperatures, with highs getting into only the 50s and 60s in Metro Detroit. Check the AccuWeather forecast HERE.
Reminder: If you see a downed or damaged tire stay at least 20 feet away from it and report it to DTE energy by calling 800-477-4747. The public can also report outages and downed lines to DTE at this link.