03/15/2026
Stay safe everyone!
Weather Update from Consumers Energy…
I just got off a statewide video meeting hosted by Consumers Energy about the current/impending storm. Please take caution and make any last minute preparations as necessary. Outages across the state are rare at this point, but the storm will greatly intensify throughout the day and overnight.
Ice and wind are the biggest problems that cause power outages. Snow carries its own risks, but if we avoid the ice and wind, the damages will be far less. That said, they are predicting that freezing rain will begin throughout the region between 2pm and 4pm today. Between 6pm and 8pm we may have ice accumulation around a quarter inch, which is when the real problems start to appear as power lines break and trees begin to fall on them.
Icing will likely intensify throughout the night, and by tomorrow morning there could be up to 1 inch of ice. There will be icing throughout Northern Michigan. Combined with high wind gusts anticipated to be 55-65 mph, there could be widespread outages and other damage.
It looks like the snow will be much heavier in the part of the District north of the Mackinac Bridge, and ice may be worse below the bridge.
Right now, Consumers has set up a Mobile Command Center to coordinate emergency response in Ga***rd. This will be helpful for all electric consumers - not just Consumer’s customers.
Stay far away from any downed wires and report them immediately by calling 911.
Think through the lessons learned last year. We are doing a number of things differently - including simple things like filling up our bathtubs with water since our well will not work without power. Check back often, and if this does become an emergency, we will do our best to keep you posted on warming shelters and additional resources that could be helpful.
We have been in contact with Emergency Operations Centers and local governmental leaders throughout the district, and it is encouraging to see that everyone is mobilized. Hopefully we won’t need the help, but it is best to be ready.