Thousands of people in Detroit suburbs are still facing power outages as a result of severe storms that hit the area on Wednesday night. The energy company responsible for the area has been working tirelessly to restore power to those affected, managing to bring back electricity to about half of the 69,000 customers who lost it during the storm.
In Oakland County, where many of Detroit’s northern suburbs are located, approximately 24,000 residents were still without power by Thursday afternoon. Additionally, in the surrounding counties of Macomb, Washtenaw, and Wayne, an additional 10,000 people were waiting for their power to be restored.
The situation is exacerbated by a heatwave that has been gripping the region, with temperatures soaring into the 90s for several days. The combination of high temperatures and humidity has raised concerns about heat-related illnesses, prompting the National Weather Service to issue heat advisories for the area. The heat index is expected to remain in the 90s through the weekend, adding to the discomfort of those without power.
DTE Energy, the company serving the Detroit area, is working to expedite the process of restoring power to all affected customers. Brian Calka, the vice president of the company’s distribution operations business unit, acknowledged the inconvenience faced by customers, especially given the extreme heat. He assured that around 80 percent of customers should have their power back by the end of Thursday, with the remaining customers expected to be reconnected by the end of Friday. To speed up the restoration process, crews from neighboring states have been brought in to assist.
Despite the progress made in restoring power, Mr. Calka cautioned that more storms could be on the horizon, potentially causing further damage and outages. Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service for parts of the state, indicating that the metro Detroit area is still at risk.
As residents continue to cope with the aftermath of the severe storms and power outages, staying informed and prepared for any new developments is crucial. The safety and well-being of those affected remain a top priority for both the energy company and local authorities, as they work together to navigate through these challenging circumstances.