Storm Tips
Approximately 136,000 DTE Energy customers were impacted after heavy rain and wind gusts near 60 mph moved throughout Michigan Tuesday evening through early Thursday morning. The weather system caused damage to electrical equipment and knocked down more than 1,400 power lines. DTE teams worked throughout the night to secure power lines, begin damage assessment and restore customers.
As of 7:00 a.m., approximately 77,000 customers remain without power. Today, more than 1,300 DTE employees as well as 650 contract crews, including out-of-state line workers from Ohio, New York, Tennessee, and Canada, will be working to restore power for our customers.
The weather system impacted customers throughout the DTE service territory, with extensive damage occurring along the lake shorelines in the Thumb area and Lake St. Clair.
Restoration estimates will continue to be available as damage assessment is complete and crews are assigned. We are working to restore at least 60% of our impacted customers by end of the day today, with 95% restored by end of the day Friday. In order to provide customers with more accurate information, the outage map and restoration estimates will be updated periodically throughout the day after our teams have verified information across several systems.
Safety for our crews and customers is our top priority. With many children back to school, it’s important to remind them to stay safe by looking up to see what’s down. Downed lines may be hidden by storm debris, so we remind customers to be careful as they head outside after severe weather.
Stay at least a bus length (20 feet) away from downed power lines and don’t touch anything they may be in contact with – always consider them live and dangerous. Customers should also heed the warning of yellow caution tape, which indicates there is a downed power line in the area. DO NOT CROSS YELLOW CAUTION TAPE.
Please report outages or downed power lines online at outage.dteenergy.com or with the DTE Energy Mobile app.
- Never drive across a downed power line. If a power line falls on your vehicle, remain inside until help arrives.
- Always operate generators outdoors to avoid the dangerous buildup of toxic fumes. All manufacturer instructions for installation and operation should be carefully followed. If unsure how to safely install equipment or otherwise modify a home's electrical system, customers should contact a licensed electrician.
- Don’t open refrigerators or freezers more often than absolutely necessary. A closed refrigerator will stay cold for 12 hours. Kept closed, a well-filled freezer will preserve food for two days.
- Turn off or unplug all appliances to prevent an electrical overload when power is restored. Leave on one light switch to indicate when power is restored.
- If a customer is elderly or has a medical condition that would be adversely impacted by a power outage, they should try to make alternative accommodations with family or friends.
- During low-voltage conditions – when lights are dim and television pictures are smaller – shut off motor-driven appliances such as refrigerators to prevent overheating and possible damage. Sensitive electronic devices also should be unplugged.
- Stay out of flooded or damp basements or other areas if water is in contact with outlets or any electrically operated appliance. The water or moisture may serve as a conductor of electricity. This can cause serious or even fatal injury.
- Assemble an emergency kit. It should include a battery-powered radio, a flashlight and candles, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, bottled water, and non-perishable food.
- Customers who depend on electrically powered medical equipment should ask their physician about an emergency battery backup system. If a customer is elderly or has a medical condition that would be adversely impacted by a power outage, they should develop an emergency plan that allows for alternative accommodations with family or friends.
- Keep a corded or cell phone on hand because a cordless telephone needs electricity to operate. Also, customers should learn how to manually open automated garage doors.
- Customers who depend on a well for drinking water need to plan ahead on how they will obtain water. Store containers of water for cooking and washing.