Crews continue to work to restore power to thousands

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Consumers Energy said crews are working to restore power to customers a day after storms moved through West Michigan.

In a news release Wednesday afternoon, the utility company said it had restored power to more than a third of the more than 190,00 customers affected by Tuesday’s storms. In West Michigan, Consumers said most were in Kent, Ionia and Montcalm counties.

The utility company expects most of the affected customers to have power restored by the end of the day on Thursday.

More than 360 crews are working around the clock to restore power to those still without power, with more contractors and resources being brought in to help with the effort, the release said.

The following counties had more than 100 Consumers customers without service as of about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday:

• Branch County: 128
• Calhoun County: 542
• Ionia County: 5,252
• Kent County: 10,045
• Mecosta County: 712
• Montcalm County: 4,949
• Muskegon County: 406
• Newaygo County: 124
• St. Joseph County: 196

Consumers reminded drivers to give crews plenty of room and that everyone should always stay away from downed power lines.

Some schools in Ionia and Kent counties were closed Wednesday due to no power, including Rockford Public’s Cannonsburg, Crestwood and Edgerton and Belding Area Schools.

The utility company said it will be handing out free water and ice Wednesday starting at 1 p.m. at the Courtland Township Hall, located at 7450 14 Mile Road NE.

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