As Michigan braces for a second major storm to close out 2025, Consumers Energy is once again on high alert, mobilizing nearly 500 crews across the state to tackle anticipated widespread power outages. With winds forecasted to exceed 50 miles per hour starting late Sunday, December 28, and continuing through Monday afternoon, the energy provider is urging residents to prepare for what could be a challenging start to the week. The storm is expected to bring not only powerful gusts but also several inches of blowing snow, testing both infrastructure and patience for many Michigan families.
This latest bout of severe weather arrives hot on the heels of Friday’s ice storm, which left 90,000 customers without power at its peak, according to WTVB. By Sunday, crews had restored service to most of those affected, but the looming storm threatens to undo much of their hard work. “We have been watching the forecast closely and want our friends and neighbors to know our crews will be ready to respond,” said Norm Kapala, one of Consumers Energy’s officers in charge of restoration, as reported by WOOD. “We understand it can be frustrating to see more storms for the second time in a week, and we are committed to restoring power to our customers as quickly and safely as we can.”
Consumers Energy’s mobilization plan is both extensive and strategic. Starting at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, crews will be dispatched first to southern Michigan, where the initial wind gusts are expected, before fanning out statewide as conditions worsen. The company has enlisted not only its own personnel but also Michigan-based contractors familiar with the local power grid. As Brian Wheeler, a Consumers Energy spokesperson, explained to WOOD, “Our foremost concern is going to be mobilizing and getting our crews ready so that we can respond quickly if we do see power outages.”
The scale of the operation is impressive: crews are resting up in hotels before beginning shifts that can last up to 16 hours, with workers allowed to be on duty for 16 hours before taking an 8-hour rest, enabling round-the-clock restoration efforts. “For a 24-hour day, line workers can work 16 hours, get eight hours of rest, and then start up again. That really allows us to really work around the clock and do our best to respond quickly to situations like this,” Wheeler said.
But as much as speed is essential, safety remains the top priority. Wheeler emphasized that crews cannot use bucket trucks to repair lines while winds are still gusting above 50 miles per hour—a necessary precaution, but one that can try the patience of those waiting for their lights to come back on. “When the gusts are still coming through at 50 miles per hour, we have to stay on the ground. We don’t go up in bucket trucks until winds subside to a level where it’s really safest enough for people to be doing their work. That can be frustrating at times. People I know want us to get power back on right away, as much as we can. And we’re trying to do that. But of course, we have to put that safety first,” Wheeler explained.
Already, the impact of the weather is being felt. As of 12:30 a.m. on Monday, December 29, nearly 23,000 outages were reported in Mecosta, Osceola, and Clare counties alone, with additional significant outages in Kalamazoo (1,560), Kent (1,618), Barry (1,263), Calhoun (502), Allegan (291), and Newaygo (123) counties, according to WOOD. These numbers are expected to climb as the storm progresses through Monday.
Consumers Energy has issued a series of safety tips for customers and the general public. First and foremost, people are urged to be alert for crews working along roadsides and to slow down or stop if necessary to allow safe passage. “Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they can go safely past,” the company advised in a release quoted by FOX 17. Residents are also reminded to stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines and to report unguarded lines by calling 911 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Importantly, the company warns that falsely reporting downed lines can slow down restoration for everyone.
Generator safety is also a major concern during extended outages. Consumers Energy cautions against using generators in attached garages, basements, enclosed patios, or near any air intakes, as this can lead to the buildup of deadly carbon monoxide gas. “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,” the company stated, as reported by multiple outlets.
Tree damage is a frequent consequence of high winds, and Consumers Energy crews are prepared to trim or remove trees that interfere with electric restoration activities. However, the cleanup of debris from such emergency tree work is the responsibility of individual property owners once it is safe to do so. In cases where the mast—the structure that holds electric service wires to a home or business—has been damaged or torn away, Consumers crews will reconnect the wires, but only a licensed electrician can repair or replace the mast or associated cables.
For those seeking updates, Consumers Energy has made it easy to check outage status and receive real-time alerts. Customers can sign up for notifications via phone, email, or text message. By texting "REG" to 232273 or visiting ConsumersEnergy.com/alerts, customers can receive restoration times and status updates. If a specific outage is not reflected on the company’s online map, customers are encouraged to call 800-477-5050 to ensure their issue is logged.
With the storm expected to bring a mix of rain, snow, and powerful winds—conditions that can rapidly change and escalate—Consumers Energy is emphasizing community awareness and patience. The company’s crews are prepared to “work for days on end,” as Wheeler noted, and the promise is clear: “We’re not stopping until we get power back on for everybody.”
The coming hours will test both Michigan’s electrical grid and the resilience of its residents. As the storm barrels in, the message from Consumers Energy is one of readiness, vigilance, and cooperation. For many, it’s a familiar drill—but one that never gets any easier. Still, with nearly 500 crews on the ground and a plan honed by recent experience, there’s confidence that Michigan will weather this storm just as it has so many before.
