Many Michiganders are still without power Monday.
As of noon Monday, DTE Energy is reporting just under 125,000 thousand customers without electricity spread throughout its service area. That’s down from a high of about 285,000 on Sunday.
DTE says the rains and strong winds caused extensive tree damage and the company is working to repair more than 1,800 downed lines.
Heather Rivard is senior vice president of distribution operations for DTE.
She says the high winds lasted longer than usual.
“We do obviously experience wind gusts on a regular basis in the state, but typically the gusts are not 40, 50, 60 miles an hour lasting more than 12 hours in a single day," she says.
Rivard is warning people to stay at least 20 feet away from a downed power line and anything touching it. She says people should assume the wire is electrified.
“We are asking customers to please call us to report [downed power lines] and don't assume that we are aware of them," she says.
People can report downed power lines to DTE's mobile app, or by calling 1-800-477-4747.
Meanwhile, Consumers Energy is reporting more than 20,000 of its customers have no power as of noon Monday.
