Consumers Energy Delivers Improved West Michigan Storm Restoration Performance

Consumers Energy Delivers Improved West Michigan Storm Restoration Performance

Grand Rapids, Mich. Monday, October 19, 2026

West Michigan customers are getting their power back faster following catastrophic storms. After the March 2026 storm, Consumers Energy restored power to more than 96% of affected customers within 24 hours and nearly all within 48 hours, the region's strongest restoration rates among eight catastrophic storms analyzed from 2023 through July 2026.

That performance came despite 121,403 West Michigan customers losing power and represents the clearest improvement in the company's three-year storm analysis.

The West Michigan region includes Muskegon, Kalamazoo, Hastings, Greenville, North Kent, East Kent, Grand Rapids, Fremont, Coldwater, Battle Creek and Hamilton territories. Across the eight storms analyzed, the region experienced between 51,683 and 223,025 customer interruptions per storm. At least 47% of affected customers were restored within 24 hours and at least 77% within 48 hours.

"We know our customers expect reliable power and faster restoration when storms occur. These results demonstrate that our investments are making a difference, and we'll continue strengthening the grid through our Reliability Roadmap to deliver even better reliability for the communities we serve," said Greg Salisbury, senior vice president of electric distribution for Consumers Energy.

The specific storm-by-storm results broken down below highlight even more notable restoration gains since 2023, supported by Consumers Energy's more proactive tree trimming, installation of stronger poles and equipment, expanded use of technology, advanced weather forecasting, and strategic pre-staging of crews and resources.

February-March 2023: West Michigan had 223,025 customers experience power outages, with nearly 60% of customers restored within 24 hours and over 77% within 48 hours.

August 2024: West Michigan had 51,683 customers lose power with over 73% of customers restored within 24 hours and over 98% within 48 hours - 16% higher at 24 hours and nearly 21% higher at 48 hours than in February-March 2023.

March 2026: Despite 121,403 customers experiencing power outages due to early spring storms, Consumers Energy restored nearly 97% of customers within 24 hours and nearly all within 48 hours in West Michigan - the strongest 24- and 48-hour West Michigan results among the eight storms analyzed.

Statewide results also demonstrate stronger restoration performance:

February-March 2023: The storm caused 418,017 customers to lose power, with 54.2% of customers restored within 24 hours and over 73% within 48 hours.

June 2024: Of 195,591 customers who lost power statewide, three-quarters of customers were restored within 24 hours and over 96% within 48 hours.

March 2026: Despite 350,827 customers losing power statewide, Consumers Energy restored over 80% of customers within 24 hours and nearly 90% within 48 hours - the strongest 24-hour statewide result among the eight storms analyzed.

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Media Contact: Matt Johnson, 517-888-1539 or [email protected]