By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
With extreme weather predicted for tonight by local meteorologists, Consumer Energy crews are preparing for power outages, downed wires, and other safety hazards.
“We may experience some hurricane-type, typhoon-type winds tonight,” said WOODTV 8 Meteorologist Matt Kirkwood earlier today. “If not here, certainly throughout the region of the Great Lakes,”
More recently, the Greater Grand Rapids area has moved to a moderate risk, which is the second highest risk factor for storms by the National Weather Service. According to Kirkwood, the storm is expected come in around 10 p.m. and last through 7 a.m. Thursday. Wind gusts are expected to be around 60+ mph with about 2 to 4 inches of rain.
Consumers Energy provided these preparation tips for potential severe weather include:
· Charge all electronic devices. It’s advised to have an emergency battery or charging station available for use during an outage.
· Have an emergency kit that includes flashlights and extra batteries, water, canned food and blankets. Be prepared with enough medication, baby supplies and pet food if applicable. A battery-operated radio is also a good idea.
· Unplug sensitive electronics like TVs, computers and printers. Turn power strips off.
Consumers Energy also urges the public to keep these important storm safety tips in mind:
· Stay at least 25 feet away from downed wires, keep children or pets away, and report the issue by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Consumers Energy crews are taking extra health and safety precautions because of the COVID-19 situation and asks the public to keep at least six feet of distance from its crews.
- 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.
- Be alert to crews working along roads. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they safely can go past workers on roadsides.
- 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.
Customers can report an outage, check the status of an outage and get useful tips what to do after a storm by visiting www.ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter. Customers 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.
