A cold, snowy Michigan winter may be one of the worst times to lose power.
A storm in January 2024, for example, knocked out power to 100,000 Michigan power customers on the Lower Peninsula. A February 2023 ice storm left 700,000 people without power, while a March 2023 storm left more than 200,000 in Michigan without power.
With temperatures already dropping this January — to single digits in some parts of the Upper Peninsula — the Michigan Public Service Commission says now is a good time to prepare.
Here’s what you should know about potential outages and how to prepare.
What is the risk of power outages during winter weather?
Severe weather, such as winter storms, increases the likelihood of power outages, according to FEMA.
“Severe weather can cause damage to energy infrastructure, such as through falling trees or branches on electricity lines,” the Federal Emergency Management Agency reports.
How can you prepare for power outages?
Michigan State Police and National Standby Repair Inc. recommend taking several steps to prepare for power outages, including:
- Keep flashlights and battery-powered portable radios.
- Prepare to shut off water valves if needed.
- Keep a fully charged back-up phone charger.
- Stock up on non-perishable food and clean drinking water.
- Prepare a first aid kit.
- Cover windows with plastic from the inside or install storm windows.
- Stock up on firewood or coal, matches and gasoline if needed.
- Prepare to manually operate an electric garage door if needed.
How can you track power outages in Michigan?
Check with your local service provider to keep track of power outages. Here are the online outage maps for Michigan service providers.
- Alpena Power Company
- Consumers Energy
- DTE Energy
- Indiana Michigan Power Company
- Presque Isle Electric and Gas Cooperative
- Tri-County Electric Cooperative
- Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation
- Upper Peninsula Power Company
What to do if you experience a power outage?
The MPSC and FEMA provide guidance on their websites for what to do before, during, and after an outage.
MSP and the American Red Cross also provide advice on what to do if you have a power outage. Here are a few tips:
- Contact your utility service to report an outage.
- Run a generator for backup power. Never run it inside a house.
- Turn off or unplug appliances.
- Monitor local weather alerts.
- Check in with loved ones.
- Avoid using a gas stove to heat your home.
- Dress warm in layers. Wear a hat and scarf.
- Do not open your refrigerator or freezer. Throw away food that is warmer than 40 degrees.
Can I use space heaters or other means to keep warm?
The MPSC provides advice on how to stay safe during an outage by using generators, space heaters, and other methods of keeping warm.
Carbon monoxide is a significant hazard when using combustion heaters and generators, so pay close attention to safety warnings.
