Weathering Michigan’s Storms: Stay Safe

Michigan has unpredictable weather. Just last week, the Wolverine state saw NINE tornadoes, and more storms are likely this week.

Severe weather can come with downed power lines and outages, and it’s important to be prepared so you can stay safe. Here are just a few tips.

Before the Storm

One easy way to practice good storm safety habits is to trim your trees. Any branches that are low-hanging or near a power line can cause damage to your property and increase the risk of a power outage. Unkempt tree limbs cause about two-thirds of all storm-related power outages. Local energy providers invest a lot of time and money in tree trimming and vegetation clearing to keep your power lines (and your family) safe!

Besides tree trimming, make sure you have flashlights or battery-operated lanterns available, bottled water, and nonperishable food.

What to Do if a Storm Causes Outages in Your Area

Stay away from downed power lines: Remember to stay at least 25 feet away to avoid any harm—you should always play it safe and assume that a downed power line is still active.
Report a downed power line to your electric provider: A smarter grid makes it easier for local energy companies to pinpoint downed lines and outages as soon as they happen, but it’s still helpful to report an outage in your area, especially if you see a downed power line. If you are a DTE Energy customer, call 800-477-4747. If Consumers Energy is your provider, dial 800-477-5050.
Rest assured that local energy providers will resolve the issue as quickly as possible: Local energy providers dispatch repair crews as quickly and efficiently as possible, and linemen and women are often out in dangerous weather to help everyone else stay safe. You can do your part by making sure your household is prepared, and then checking on neighbors who may need extra assistance, such as the elderly or families with small children.

For more tips on how you can stay safe during Michigan storm seasons, check out these additional resources from DTE Energy and Consumers Energy.

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