MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — Officials in Muskegon County are giving an update Wednesday at 5:00 on storm damage.
In the wake of severe storms that brought dangerous winds along the lakeshore Tuesday morning, downed trees and power lines closed numerous roads and cut power to thousands.
In Muskegon County, most of the main roads closed on Tuesday are still closed, Muskegon County Emergency Services said Wednesday morning. In Wednesday evening's update, they said they were still working to open up many of the closed roads.
Crews are still diligently working on cleanup, tree cutting, and power line issues.
If you need assistance you're asked to call 211 as they can refer you to agencies that can help. If you're dealing with a life-threatening emergency, you should call 911.
Muskegon Central Dispatchers fielded more than 1,000 phone calls in just two hours Tuesday as the thunderstorm was bearing down on the community.
Going into Thursday, officials said they will have crews on the ground with iPads doing storm damage assessment. Using the data they find, they will evaluate next steps.
Road Closures Remain
Here's a list of roads that have opened Wednesday morning:
- Bard Rd from Russell to M-120
- Scenic from Southshore Dr to Giles Rd
- Lakewood from US-31 to Russell Rd
- Blue Lake Rd from Raymond to Skeels
- Bard Rd Dalson to Ewing
- Whitehall Rd from Lakewood to White Lake
- Southshore from Lamos to Nestrom
- Vista Terrace from Park to Wolf Lake Rd
During Wednesday's 5:00 p.m. press conference, officials said opening roadways have been a primary focus. They said they've made progress, and cautioned residents of clearing debris themselves. They asked that you wait for crews to come and do the cleanup.
Michigan's Adventure in Muskegon closed Tuesday due to storms and will remain closed Wednesday because of power outages.
If you are in need of some water, Muskegon County Emergency Services shared some places you can get some here:
Free Water Distribution
• When: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m., Wednesday June 26
• Where: Oakridge High School (Parking lot between Middle School and Athletic Field), 251 S. Wolf Lake Road, Muskegon
Free Shaved Ice Snow Cones
• When: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday June 26
• Where: Goodrich Park, 100 Lake St, Whitehall
Power Outages Remain
In Wednesday's 5:00 p.m. press conference, a Consumers representative said they had restored power to over 135,000 customers with about 38,000 across the state still without power.
The power company has more than 550 crews working to restore power to homes and businesses impacted by Tuesday's powerful thunderstorm.
Most customers can expect to have their power restored by midday Thursday, with a goal to complete work in the hardest-hit locations by the end of the day Thursday.
Customers can continue to check the status of outages at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter. They can also sign up to get outage alerts and restoration times sent to a phone, email or text message, Text ‘REG' to 232273 or visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/alerts.
To help those without power in Muskegon County, the Muskegon Township Hall will be open for anyone needing relief.
This includes those who need to cool off, charge their devices or get water. The hall will be open until 6 p.m., with a brief closure from 1 to 1:30 p.m. for staff to take a lunch break.
Consumers Energy urges the public to keep important safety tips in mind:
- Be alert to crews working along roadsides. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they can go safely past.
- ·Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines, and to report unguarded downed lines by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Consumers Energy reminds people that falsely calling in downed lines actually slows down the restoration process for everyone.
- Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement, enclosed patio or near any air intakes. Doing so could cause a generator to produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas. Read more guidance on safe generator use here.
- Consumers Energy will trim or remove trees interfering with electric restoration activities. Once safe to do so, clean-up of debris from tree trimming or removal during a storm emergency is the responsibility of individual property owners.
- In some cases, the mast that holds the electric service wires to a home or business may have been damaged or torn away. Crews will reconnect the wires to a home, but only a licensed electrician can repair or replace a mast or a cable.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.