Storms knock out power to 100,000 in Michigan - Detroit Free-Press

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Storms knock out power to 100,000 in Michigan - Detroit Free-Press

100,000 in Michigan without power

A series of fast moving storms knocked out the lights for over 100,000 residents throughout Michigan tonight.

A tornado watch was issued earlier today for 34 counties, including Wayne, Oakland, Monroe, Macomb and St. Clair counties as the storms rolled through the region.

The weather service is investigating a possible tornado touchdown in Shiawasssee County.

Consumers Power reported nearly 96,000 customers without power with Calhoun County being hardest hit with nearly 28,000 affected.

Jay Jacobs, a spokesman for Consumers Power said the southern portion of the state was hit the hardest as Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Livingston and Monroe counties all were affected by power outages.

“We’ve got lots of wires down all over the place,” said Jabobs. He said crews would be working all night and through the day Monday using full staffs to restore power.

Nearly 22,000 DTE customers throughout southeast Michigan were without power tonight.

The numbers included 8,000 residents in Livingston County, 5900 in Oakland County 4500 in Ingham County, 2600 in Monroe County and the rest scattered throughout various counties.

John Austerberry, a spokesman for DTE Energy said crews had been dispatched throughout the problem areas and would continue working through the night to help restore power.

Contact Joe Rossiter: 313-222-6594 or jrossiter@freepress.com