Consumers Energy Prioritizes Restoration and Community Support in Northern Michigan

Consumers Energy Prioritizes Restoration and Community Support in Northern Michigan

Jackson, Mich. Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Consumers Energy remains focused on restoration efforts in northern Michigan, where Sunday's winter storm caused widespread outages, equipment damage and downed power lines.

Since Sunday, Consumers Energy has restored power to 206,000 customers. With more than 750 crews staged across the hard-hit region, work continues around the clock to repair infrastructure and return power to every customer and business.

The company is also providing community support, prioritizing the needs of its customers. Today, Consumers Energy delivered water in Cadillac, West Branch and Harrisville. The company also provided about 375 free meals to the community at the Roscommon County Building and Courthouse.

"Our crews remain fully committed to the continued restoration efforts across Northern Michigan. This work goes beyond restoring power. It reaches into the communities and people we serve. This means showing up in real time and delivering real support," said Norm Kapala, vice president of grid operations. "Our customers can count on us to be there in the moments where it matters most."

The National Weather Service forecast predicts thawing ice as temperatures climb above freezing Thursday, which could create more outages as tree limbs sway and snap suddenly. Crews will continue to work in 16-hour shifts until power has been completely restored.

"We understand power outages are more than an inconvenience," Kapala said. "We are listening, we are present, and we will continue to support the communities and customers that rely on us."

Customers who remain without power are encouraged to locate a warming centerin their area.

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.

Consumers Energy urges the public to keep important safety tips in mind:

• Be alert to crews working along roads. 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 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, cleanup 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.
  
  

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Members of the media are reminded to call 1-800-557-4625 to reach a Consumers Energy Media Relations representative 24/7.