Consumers Energy Prepares for Prospect of High Winds, Hail and Tornado in Southern Michigan

Jackson, Mich. Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Consumers Energy is preparing for a powerful storm that’s expected to move across the southern part of Michigan late this afternoon and tonight, bringing the possibility of 70 mph winds, hail and a tornado.

“We’re looking at weather right now that will soak our state and cause flooding, plus have a possible impact to our electric grid. We want our customers to know we’ll be prepared,” said Norm Kapala, one of Consumers Energy’s officers in charge for this storm.

Consumers Energy is preparing to respond to the storm’s greatest area of impact, along and south of U.S. 10 from the Lake Michigan shoreline and Grand Rapids through southeast Michigan. The public should be ready for heavy rain, thunder and lightning, and high winds from 5 p.m. through midnight.

Customers can prepare for this storm by signing up for outage alerts that are sent via text, email or phone call, Text ‘REG' to 232273 or visit ConsumersEnergy.com/alerts.

People can also check on outages at ConsumersEnergy.com/outage or download the Consumers Energy app.

Customers should follow these other tips to prepare:

• Charge all electronic devices. It’s advised to have an emergency battery or charging station available for use during an outage. 

• Have an emergency kit that includes flashlights and extra batteries, water, canned food and blankets. Be prepared with enough medication, baby supplies and pet food if applicable. A battery-operated radio is also a good idea.
• Unplug sensitive electronics like TVs, computers and printers. Turn power strips off.

In case of outages, Consumers Energy urges the public to keep important safety tips in mind:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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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.