DETROIT – DTE Energy said Monday morning 45,000 customers remain without power, but the utility said restoration efforts were running ahead of schedule.
As of 6 p.m. Sunday, 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 more than 715,000 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 said in a prepared statement Sunday:
Weather reports show temperatures will fall into the low 20s tonight, with a possible 3 to 5 inches of snow on Monday. While our crews are trained to work in unfavorable weather conditions, DTE Energy’s first priority is safety, and that includes the safety of our customers.
DTE will continue its outreach efforts to our most vulnerable customers in cooperation with our non-profit and faith-based community partners. The company encourages individuals to check on friends and neighbors who may still be without power.
DTE said high winds on Friday 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."
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
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.