METRO DETROIT (WWJ) - Southwest winds are blasting through Metro Detroit, gusting up to 50 and 60 mph and leaving tens of thousands of residents in the dark on Saturday.
DTE Energy is currently reporting over 36,600 outages throughout the service area with the majority of the outages in Oakland County. A tipster calling into WWJ says Waterford is a big problem area.
"Wind gusts up to 50 mph are passing through the state," DTE said in a storm update on their website. "These high winds can damage trees, bring down power lines and cause outages."
We know how difficult it is to be without power," the company continued. "Our Storm Response Teams are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible."
Restoration times, as well as causes for the outages, are currently not available on DTE's outage map, but officials said they did expect some outages as high winds moved into Southeast Michigan.
According to the National Weather Service, Wind Advisory is currently in effect for Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Lenawee and St. Clair Counties, among others, through midnight Sunday.
Experts advised westerly winds are expected at 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Showers moving through the area were also forecasted to bring the potential of localized higher gusts of 50 to 60 mph.
"Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result." meteorologists warned. "Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle and secure outdoor objects."
WWJ's Mike Campbell said it is so windy out, Jim Howe of La Salle was able to give granddaughter, Charis, a ride on a sled tied to a blanket -- with a safety stop-strap around his wrist.
The storm strengthen as it traveled northeastward from the southern Plains on Friday to the Great Lakes region Saturday night. According to AccuWeather, air rushing to the storm's center caused a board zone of strong winds to develop.
Southeast Michigan could be spared from the worst of it, however, as AccuWeather said wind gusts reaching hurricane force at 75 mph could be possible over the higher elevations of the Appalachians and part of the Ohio Valley during the height of the storm.
Winds of size strength can snap tree limbs, knock over poorly-rooted trees and cause widespread power outages. The force of the wind pushing on Great Lakes waters can also lead to flooding along the shorelines.
DTE reminded residents to be cautiouse of downed wires and to report them immediately.
"Please be safe and remember to stay at least 25 feet from any downed power lines — assume they are live and dangerous," the company advised.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ LIVE for the latest traffic and weather updates on the 8s.