Continuing coverage: High winds cause power outages, utility pole damage in Southeast Michigan
High winds and thunderstorms resulted in an estimated 10,000 Metro Detroit customers affected by scattered power outages during the afternoon and early evening hours Saturday.
There were also reports of trees on fire as a result of the storm damage.
The National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory that was to be in effect for several hours Saturday, with wind gusts up to 50 mph in some areas. The wind advisory, originally scheduled to end at 8 p.m., was later extended to midnight.
In the meantime, several counties were under Severe Thunderstorm Warnings during the early evening.
Several damage reports came out of Washtenaw County around 5:30 p.m., after one of the storms rolled through, according to reports sent to the National Weather Service in Detroit. Those reports included:
- Wires down with a pole on fire on Foley Ave in Ypsilanti Township.
- A tree fell on a gas meter at an apartment complex on Bridle Run in Pittsfield Township, resulting in a gas leak there.
- A large tree was down, on fire, on Prospect Hill Road in Washtenaw County.
- Large tree on fire with power lines down at the intersection of Nottingham Road and Independence Boulevard in Ann Arbor.
Because of the high winds earlier in the day, the Huron Township Department of Public Safety reported about 3:45 p.m. Saturday that a utility pole broke and fell next to South Huron River Road in Huron Township. The potential for further damage led police officers to close that road between Rust and Bell roads. DTE Energy was called to check on the utility pole and its lines.
Hail also was reported in Sterling Heights Saturday.
Power outages were reported to thousands of people around 4:30 p.m. in locations such as Livonia, Pontiac, St. Clair Shores and Ypsilanti, according to DTE Energy's outage map. The Consumers Energy outage map showed outages near Adrian and in Monroe Township about 5:30 p.m., after a severe thunderstorm came through Lenawee and Monroe Counties.
Should you come across an intersection where traffic signals are out, the Oakland County Road Commission issues the reminder that the intersection "should be treated as a four-way stop" with motorists taking turns proceeding through. One of the intersections reported out in Oakland County was Orchard Lake and Maple Road in West Bloomfield.
Also in Oakland County, Grand River Road was closed in both directions at Meadowbrook Road because of a hazardous electrical pole. DTE Energy was en route for repairs, motorists were asked to avoid the area in the meantime.
You'll be able to check status of specific outages at the following links:
Stay tuned to CBS Detroit and check our website for continuing coverage.
