Consumers Energy Focuses on Safety While Restoring Power and Preparing for More Severe Weather

Jackson, Mich. Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Consumers Energy is continuing around-the-clock restoration efforts today with more than 400 crews restoring power for customers affected by yesterday’s severe thunderstorms, which brought wind gusts of up to 90 mph and caused widespread outages across the state.

Crews worked through the night and are continuing today to assess damage, repair infrastructure and safely restore service as quickly as possible. Significant progress has already been made, with more than 66,000 of the nearly 90,000 customers restored since the storms moved through the state.

At the same time, Consumers Energy is preparing for another round of severe weather expected to move across Michigan later today and into the evening. The system could bring additional high winds, hail and the potential for isolated tornadoes, which may lead to new outages.

“We want our customers to know safety is our #1 priority for them, for our crews, and for the communities we serve,” said Holly Bowers, one of Consumers Energy’s officers in charge of storm restoration. “With more than 400 crews in the field, we are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power after yesterday’s damaging storms while also preparing for the possibility of more severe weather. We understand how difficult outages can be and appreciate our customers’ patience as we do this critical work the right way.”

Consumers Energy is closely monitoring the forecast and pre-positioning crews and resources to respond quickly to any new damage caused by incoming storms.

Consumers Energy continues to encourage customers to practice extreme caution as a new weather system moves across the state. Customers can continue to check the status of outages at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter. Customers can also sign up for 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 roadsides. 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, clean-up 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.