Wednesday, August 27, 2014 – 6 a.m.
As of 6 a.m., approximately 120,000 DTE Energy customers are without electric service due to the high winds and lightning that hit southeast Michigan Tuesday evening. DTE has restored power to 45,000 customers who were affected by the storm, which included wind gusts of up to 60 m.p.h. in portions of the DTE service area.
The hardest hit area is Wayne County, with 80,000 customers still without power. Livonia-12,277, Dearborn Heights-2785, Dearborn-2496. Southgate-1700
Other counties with customers out are:
Oakland – 30,000
Washtenaw – 4,000
Macomb – 3,000
Livingston – 2,000
St. Clair – 1,000
DTE crews are working 16-hour shifts around the clock to restore service. Approximately 125 additional crews from across the Midwest will arrive today to assist in the restoration effort.
The majority of customers should be back in service by late tonight.
Strong winds caused more than 1,000 reported power lines to come down. Customers need to exercise extreme caution and assume any wire is live. Stay at least 20 feet away from any downed wire and anything it’s in contact with, keep children and pets away, and call DTE Energy at (800) 477-4747 to report the downed line.
Tree-trim crews are cutting fallen limbs and clearing areas to assist repair crews. To allow the tree-trim crews to quickly get to the next location where they are needed, they will leave limbs for homeowners’ use or disposal rather than remove the material.
DTE Energy understands how difficult it is to be without power, and appreciates the patience of customers as we work on repairing the damage caused by the weather.
Customers can report an outage, check on the status of an outage, and view our outage map, all from their smart phones. Customers also may call DTE Energy at (800) 477-4747 to report power outages or downed lines. We encourage customers to use our mobile website at dteenergy.com or their iPhone or Android phone to report a power problem using the DTE Energy Outage Center app. The app is available free of charge from the Apple Store or Google Play.
Additional information on the current storm – including DTE’s online Power Outage Map – is available at www.dteenergy.com/outage.
The next update will be at approximately 11 a.m.
Storm tips:
· Never drive across a downed power line. If a power line falls on your vehicle, remain inside until help arrives.
· Don’t open refrigerators or freezers more often than absolutely necessary. A closed refrigerator will stay cold for 12 hours. Kept closed, a well-filled freezer will preserve food for two days.
· Turn off or unplug all appliances to prevent an electrical overload when power is restored. Leave on one light switch to indicate when power is restored.
· Always operate generators outdoors to avoid dangerous buildup of toxic fumes.
· If a customer is elderly or has a medical condition that would be adversely impacted by a power outage, they should try to make alternative accommodations with family or friends.
· During low-voltage conditions – when lights are dim and television pictures are smaller – shut off motor-driven appliances such as refrigerators to prevent overheating and possible damage. Sensitive electronic devices also should be unplugged.
· Stay out of flooded or damp basements or other areas if water is in contact with outlets or any electrically-operated appliance. The water or moisture may serve as a conductor of electricity. This can cause serious or even fatal injury.
· Assemble an emergency kit. It should include a battery-powered radio, a flashlight and candles, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, bottled water and non-perishable food.
· Customers who depend on electrically powered medical equipment should ask their physician about an emergency battery back-up system. If a customer is elderly or has a medical condition that would be adversely impacted by a power outage, they should develop an emergency plan that allows for alternative accommodations with family or friends.
· Keep a corded or cell phone on hand because a cordless telephone needs electricity to operate. Also, customers should learn how to manually open automated garage doors.
· Customers who depend on a well for drinking water need to plan ahead on how they will obtain water. Store containers of water for cooking and washing.