DTE estimates all power restored by 11:30 p.m. Monday despite snow

DETROIT – DTE Energy said Monday morning 45,000 customers remain without power, but the utility said restoration efforts were running ahead of schedule.  

DTE said it had restored power to more than 90 percent of its customers a day earlier than it expected. Power has been restored to 755,000 of the 800,000 customers impacted by the recent wind storm, and the company said it expects all power to be stored by 11:30 p.m. Monday. 

The company released this statement Monday morning: 

With 2-4 inches of snow predicted today we are still on track to complete restore power for all of our customers by 11:30 p.m. today.  

For the 45,000 customers still without power, DTE knows this has been a trying period. As DTE continues to receive information from the field, estimates are being provided to customers. We urge all customers to take caution today as the National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for southeast Michigan.

Heather Rivard, senior vice president of DTE's distribution operations, said about 10,000 newer outages popped up in the past few days. 

"About 35,000 of the (800,000) customers remain without power. About 10,000 newer outages have come in in the last few days that we're also working on. So a total of 45,000 customers currently out of power," she said. 

DTE said high winds took out power to more than 12,000 homes.

"We’ve estimated restoration times to the best of our ability, but ask that customers understand these times may change based on unexpected issues and damage that our crews encounter in the field," DTE said in a release Saturday. "We are committed to working around the clock to get all customers restored – and back to their normal lives – as soon as possible."

VIEW OUTAGE MAP: 

During a Friday afternoon news conference, DTE President and CEO Jerry Norcia said the company's restoration team is fully mobilized and working around the clock.

That includes 1,500 line workers, 950 of which are from out of state. About 1,000 tree trimmers are at work, 250 of which are from out of state.

The utility company reminded everyone to stay away from downed wires, keep generators outside of homes, and make sure elderly people are safe.

Warming centers have been set up across Metro Detroit -- view list here.

Here's a restoration timeline:

• 6 a.m. Thursday -- 670,000 DTE customers without power
• 7 a.m. Thursday -- 670,00 DTE customers without power
• 10 a.m. Thursday -- 665,000 DTE customers without power
• 2:45 p.m. Thursday -- 630,000 DTE customers without power
• 4 p.m. Thursday -- 570,000 DTE customers without power
• 9 p.m. Thursday -- 515,000 DTE customers without power
• 6 a.m. Friday -- 515,000 DTE customers without power
• 10 a.m. Friday -- 400,000 DTE customers without power
• 2 p.m. Friday -- 340,000 DTE customers without power
• 4 p.m. Friday -- 295,000 DTE customers without power
• 9:30 p.m. Friday -- 248,000 DTE customers without power
• 7 a.m. Saturday -- 243,00 DTE customers without power
• 11 a.m. Saturday -- 231,000 DTE customers without power
• 4 p.m. Saturday -- 178,000 DTE customers without power
• 9 p.m. Saturday -- 147,000 DTE customers without power
• 8 a.m. Sunday -- 98,000 DTE customers without power
• Noon Sunday -- 85,000 DTE customers without power
• 6 p.m. Sunday -- 70,000 DTE customers without power
• 6 a.m. Monday -- 45,000 DTE customers without power
• 10:30 a.m. Monday -- 45,000 DTE customers without power

 
Storm tips from DTE

• Never drive across a downed power line. If a power line falls on your vehicle, remain inside until help arrives.
• Always operate generators outdoors to avoid dangerous buildup of toxic fumes.
• Turn off or unplug all appliances to prevent an electrical overload when power is restored. Leave one light switch on to indicate when power is restored.
• Don’t open refrigerators or freezers more than absolutely necessary. A closed refrigerator will stay cold for 12 hours. Kept closed, a well-filled freezer will preserve food for two days.
• If a customer is elderly or has a medical condition that would be adversely impacted by a power outage, they should try to make alternative accommodations with family or friends.

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