Outages Persist for Some Great Lakes Energy Members

Aug. 5, 2015 – 4:30 p.m.
 
Over 1,600 Great Lakes Energy members remain without power late Wednesday afternoon in parts of 6 counties as a result of heavy damage to power lines caused by powerful 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. Small, scattered outages remain in parts of Antrim, Montmorency, Oscoda and Otsego counties.
Since Sunday morning, over 39,000 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 37,600 so far. Its service area stretches along the entire western side of the lower peninsula.
Due to the severity of the damage, some areas may not have power restored until at least Saturday. With the help of 58 extra crews, Great Lakes Energy crews will continue to work to get as many additional members back on today as possible.
It is taking more time to complete the repairs due to widespread severe power line damage with 157 broken poles found so far. The destruction includes one area where downed power lines are buried under huge trees piled at least 15 feet high.
The extra crews 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.