Consumers Energy Supports Hardest Hit Northern Michigan Communities After Severe Winter Storm

Consumers Energy Supports Hardest Hit Northern Michigan Communities After Severe Winter Storm

Jackson, Mich. Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Consumers Energy crews continue to restore power to Northern Michigan communities hit hard by Sunday's winter storm, and the company today is offering additional support to affected communities.

Today, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Consumers Energy will offer a free community meal at the Roscommon County Building and Courthouse, at 500 Lake Street. Additionally, the company will deliver water in Cadillac, West Branch and Harrisville.

Warming centersare available for customers who are without power. Consumers Energy encourages customers to practice caution while traveling as road conditions remain hazardous.

"We know how hard it is to be without power, especially during severe weather. While crews work to restore service, we're also trying to make things a little easier-whether that's offering a warm meal, providing bottled water, or simply being present for our neighbors," said Jean Kang, Consumers Energy's officer in charge for the storm event. "These small gestures are one way we're supporting the communities we care so deeply about."

In addition to Consumers Energy crews in Northern Michigan, crews from Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohiohave joined Consumers Energy to continue the process of restoring power.

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.