More than 66,000 customers in northeast Wisconsin are facing power outages following an ice storm that struck late Saturday night, March 29, 2025. As of 6:30 a.m. on Monday, March 31, 2025, Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) reported that 60,538 homes and businesses were affected by 1,169 known outage points, while We Energies indicated that 5,792 customers were experiencing outages across 145 separate locations.
The ice storm has particularly impacted Oneida County, where 13,045 customers were without power early Monday morning. Other counties severely affected include Forest, Marinette, Langlade, and Oconto, as utility crews work tirelessly to restore electricity.
In response to the widespread outages, local officials have opened warming shelters in Marinette and Oconto counties. These shelters provide water and charging stations for devices, helping residents cope with the cold. Locations include the Wausaukee School District building, Goodman Town Hall, and several community centers in Oconto County, which will remain open as long as necessary.
Brendan Conway, a spokesperson for We Energies, warned residents that power restoration efforts may take longer than expected. “People who are out of power should start to prepare that it won’t be on necessarily right away. Obviously, we’re going to get power restored for some people right away every minute every hour but we expect that we will have outages possibly into Tuesday at this point,” he stated.
The ice storm has caused significant damage, including downed trees and power lines. According to Matt Cullen, a spokesperson for WEC Energy Group, “Wisconsin Public Service crews are working quickly and safely to repair widespread power outages caused by last night’s storm that contained accumulating ice, snow, and strong winds.” As of 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, WPS reported restoring power to 62,000 customers, but challenges remain.
Utility companies have urged residents to report outages using the WPS app or by calling 800-450-7240. They also emphasized the dangers of downed power lines, advising the public to stay at least 25 feet away from them and report any sightings immediately.
In addition to the power outages, the Hodag Dome in Rhinelander has temporarily closed due to a power outage that caused its backup generator to fail. The dome, which serves as a community asset and an election site, deflated as a result of this failure, leading to several tears in its material. Eric Burke, the Superintendent of Schools, indicated that the dome would be completely deflated on March 30 to facilitate repairs, with the manufacturer assessing the damage on March 31.
Burke explained, “The way it works is, even on regular days, the snow comes off the ends. And when it deflated, it came off, and it caused a lot of weight in the corners.” The dome is crucial for community events and the upcoming local elections on April 1, 2025. The School District is coordinating with the City of Rhinelander to secure an alternative location for voting.
As the ice storm continues to impact the region, officials are working diligently to restore power and ensure community safety. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through local news updates and utility company announcements.
The power outages across northeast Wisconsin have also affected customers in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where nearly 70,000 people were without electricity as of March 31. Initially, the outages were estimated to affect between 40,000 and 50,000 customers after the storms hit. The total number of affected customers increased due to subsequent snowfall on top of the ice.
Local utility outage maps show that the majority of outages are concentrated in counties such as Oneida, Langlade, and Forest in Wisconsin, and Dickinson, Florence, and Menominee in Michigan. The ongoing storm has led to a challenging situation for utility crews, who are working around the clock to restore service.
Residents are reminded to stay safe during this severe weather event. If they encounter downed power lines or experience a power outage, they should remain cautious and follow safety guidelines provided by utility companies. The situation remains fluid, and updates will continue to be provided as more information becomes available.
As the communities in northeast Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula brace for further weather challenges, local officials are urging residents to prepare for potential extended outages and to utilize available resources such as warming shelters and community announcements.
