9/6/14 - In what utility officials are calling one of the strongest storms so far this year, more than 15,000 DTE and Consumers power customers in Livingston County are without power today. Severe storms swept through the state Friday night, bringing heavy rain and strong winds of up to 75 mph. DTE says 15,000 of its Livingston County customers have lost power, while Consumers Energy estimates more than 700 local outages. They are among 427,000 outages reported across the state. The National Weather Service in White Lake Township issued multiple weather warnings and watches throughout the day. In addition to strong wind gusts, some areas saw quarter sized hail. DTE spokesman Scott Simons says that given the size and impact of the storm, some customers could be affected for several days. DTE already has enlisted the help of more than 300 linemen from utilities in Ohio, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, and is trying to get more to assist the restoration effort. Consumers spokesman Roger Morgenstern says most of their customers should be restored by the end of the day Sunday, although in the harder hit areas, some customers may not have their power restored until Monday. Both utilities remind residents to stay at least 20 feet away of all power lines and anything theyâre in contact with, and consider them live. Submitted photo is of lightning on Friday night near Dorr Road in Genoa Township. Submitted video is of a power line coming down near a home off of Dorr Road in Genoa Township. (JK)
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