12:16 p.m.
As it turns out, the planned power outage in parts of Detroit and Highland Park were over by the time the post was put up below. The Associated Press reports:
A planned power outage has wrapped up earlier than expected in part of Detroit and Highland Park after crews worked to repair some underground lines. DTE Energy Co. said Wednesday's outage affected about 3,500 customers in Detroit and the Detroit enclave. Officials said the power was shut down to the area as planned about 6 a.m. EST. The power was back on before 11 a.m, more than three hours earlier than expected.
11:35 a.m.
Around 3,500 DTE Energy customers in Detroit and the Highland Park area have had their power cut while the utility company performs "routine maintenance."
Some question whether the timing of the routine maintenance was wise given the cold temperatures.
Fox News in Detroit reports the maintenance was originally scheduled for this past fall:
DTE Energy told FOX 2 the routine maintenance was originally slated for late September or early October, but together with city officials and community leaders, they decided January fourth would be better. That way schools aren't impacted.
A video posted by the Detroit Free Press shows at least two customers in the area are taking the outage in stride.
The Free Press reports that three activity centers have been opened as warming centers in the area:
...the City of Detroit has designated three recreation centers as warming centers. The warming centers are Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Road; Butzel Family Center, 7737 Kercheval, and Farwell Community Center, 2711 E. Outer Drive.
The power is expected to be turned back on at 2 p.m. Michigan Radio's Sarah Cwiek is following this story as well.
