Power Restored to Over 34,000 Since Sunday

Aug. 4, 2015 – 4:30 p.m.
 
More additional crews were added today to help restore power to over 4,200 Great Lakes Energy members who remain without power late Tuesday afternoon in parts of 7 counties following damaging storms that raced across the state throughout the day on Sunday.
Most of the remaining outages are in parts of Crawford and Kalkaska counties that were among the areas hardest hit by the last round of severe storms that rolled in late Sunday afternoon.
Since Sunday morning, over 38,500 Great Lakes Energy members in all 26 counties served by the electric cooperative were affected by the storms with crews able to restore power to over 34,000 so far. Its service area stretches along the entire western side of the lower peninsula.
With the extra help, Great Lakes Energy crews will continue to work into the night to get as many additional members back on as possible. It is taking more time to complete the repairs due to widespread severe power line damage with 87 broken poles found so far.
The addition of 12 extra crews today brings the total number of extra crews on the job to 58. They include Great Lakes Energy crews from other service areas, other electric cooperative crews in the state, contractor crews and a municipal crew. Also part of the extra workforce are 23 tree-trimming crews.
Great Lakes Energy members are reminded to stay away from downed power lines and also stay clear of trees and limbs that are hanging on the lines.
Current outage information by counties and townships that is updated every 15 minutes can be viewed on the Great Lakes Energy website, www.gtlakes.com, by clicking on Storm Central.
GLE members should report their outage by calling the electric cooperative’s automated, toll-free outage number:  1-800-678-0411.