SATURDAY:
12:00 PM: Here’s a winter weather check-in with your East Lansing Neighborhood Reporter Colin Jankowski!
11:33 AM: Consumers Energy says lineworkers and contractors worked throughout the night to restore power to more than 60,000 customers after a winter storm struck the state Friday, bringing high winds and wet, heavy snow that felled limbs and downed lines across several regions. Crews forged ahead Saturday morning to help the roughly 65,000 customers remaining without power in the face of high winds that could create additional outages.
“We have over 450 crews of lineworkers and contractors working tirelessly to restore power,” said Melissa Gleespen, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge of restoration. “The high winds forecast for today will continue to present obstacles. But our crews are up to the challenge. We thank our customers and communities for their patience.”
Consumers Energy crews are being supported by contractors from Michigan and nine other states, including crews from as far away as Colorado, Oklahoma, Alabama and New York. Lineworkers can work up to 16 hours at a time, which helps power Consumers Energy’s around-the-clock commitment to Michigan.
Customers can continue to check the status of outages at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter.
9:30 AM: Check out this photograph sent in by Lansing resident Jeffrey Kosloski!
FRIDAY:
11:00 PM: As of late Friday night, Consumers Energy is reporting nearly 1,000 outages impacting more than 47,000 customers. A complete look at the outages can be found here..
https://www.consumersenergy.com/outagemap
4:39 PM: The city of Lansing has implemented its Code Blue weather plan...
4:10 PM: FOX 47 Meteorologist Brad Sugden with the latest look at the storm...
3:39 PM: Closures are starting to come in, including this one from East Lansing..
City of East Lansing officials have been closely monitoring the winter weather warning and have proactively made the decision to close the East Lansing Hannah Community Center and East Lansing Public Library beginning today at 5 p.m. and continuing through Saturday, Jan. 13.
The East Lansing Hannah Community Center (ELHCC), 819 Abbot Road and the East Lansing Public Library (ELPL), 950 Abbot Road will close at 5 p.m. today (Friday, Jan. 12) and remain closed through the day on Saturday, Jan. 13. The ELHCC will reopen on Sunday, Jan. 13 at noon and the ELPL will reopen at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13.
Additional cancellations due to the storm include the open swim at ELHCC from 3:30-5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12 and the environmental stewardship work day on Saturday, Jan. 13 at Albert A. White Memorial Park. Overnight street parking has been suspended from Friday, Jan. 12 through Sunday, Jan. 14.
City officials encourage community members to stay off the roads to the greatest extent possible. This will allow crews from the Department of Public Works (DPW) to focus their resources on priority routes.
2:21 PM: Lansing Mayor Andy Schor on how the city is preparing for the storm...
12:00 PM: Looking at the latest models...
8:12 AM: Crews in Ingham County are reminding drivers of some safety tips while on the road...
6:16 AM: On the heels of Michigan’s first major storm of the winter, over 400 Consumers Energy and contractor crews from as far away as Colorado, New York and Alabama are preparing for another strong storm system expected to sweep across the state this weekend.
“We expect this storm to deliver heavy snow and winds over the next couple of days, and Consumers Energy is ready,” said Chris Laird, Consumers Energy’s vice president for electric operations. “Even as our lineworkers finished restoring power from this week’s first storm, we were already looking ahead and preparing to ensure we keep the lights and heat on for the people who count on us.”
Trucks and essential materials are prepared and staged to support restoration efforts in key areas, including mobile storm units that already are parked near Grand Rapids and Tawas to bring supplies closer to restoration work.
Laird encouraged Michiganders to continue preparing for this storm. Some tips for severe weather include:
- Charge all electronic devices. It’s advised to have an emergency battery or charging station available for use during an outage.
- Have an emergency kit that includes flashlights and extra batteries, water, canned food and blankets. Be prepared with enough medication, baby supplies and pet food if applicable. A battery-operated radio is also a good idea.
- Unplug sensitive electronics like TVs, computers and printers. Turn power strips off.
