Large swaths of Northern Michigan are grappling with widespread power outages following a devastating ice storm that struck the region this weekend. As of early Sunday morning, March 30, 2025, over 146,000 electric customers were without power, including significant numbers from Consumers Energy and Great Lakes Energy. The storm has caused extensive damage, downing trees and power lines, and creating hazardous driving conditions across the area.
According to Consumers Energy, as of 8:15 a.m. on Sunday, there were 695 outages affecting 43,948 people. Meanwhile, Great Lakes Energy reported 406 outages impacting 43,926 customers. Cloverland Electric Cooperative indicated that they had 1,257 outages across nine townships in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. The number of affected customers has risen sharply overnight due to reports of falling trees and damage to power lines. Many residents experienced power loss again after having their service restored earlier on Saturday.
“Damage to the cooperative’s electric infrastructure is extensive with many broken poles and downed wires,” stated a press release from Great Lakes Energy. “Heavy ice has brought down trees both into power lines and in roadways making them impassable in some locations. GLE line crews are working in conjunction with contractors and neighboring cooperative utility assistance to restore power safely.”
The conditions have also made travel treacherous. M-68 (Sturgeon Street) at Rotter Road in Cheboygan County was closed early Sunday morning due to downed power lines. CCE Central Dispatch, which covers Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Emmet counties, issued a warning on Facebook urging people to stay off the roads. “It is strongly encouraged to stay off the roads today due to power lines and trees still in the road and more are continuing to fall,” the post read.
Warming shelters have opened across Northern Michigan to assist those affected by the storm. St. Matthews Church in Boyne City and Lighthouse Missionary Church in East Jordan are among the facilities providing refuge. The need for these shelters has grown as the storm continues to impact daily life in the region.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced on social media that the state is assessing the damage caused by the ice storm and has activated the State Emergency Operations Center. “My heart is with everyone who has been hit hard by the recent ice storm—and with those facing ongoing severe weather across the state,” she wrote. The governor urged residents to stay safe and check on their loved ones.
The National Weather Service in Gaylord has indicated that an ice storm warning remains in effect for several counties, including Alpena, Montmorency, Otsego, Charlevoix, Alcona, Crawford, Oscoda, Cheboygan, Emmet, and Presque Isle counties. The warning is set to remain in place until noon on Sunday.
As the storm subsides, cold temperatures are expected to complicate recovery efforts. Michael Boguth from the National Weather Service warned, “Tomorrow night we're looking at lows in the teens, so anyone without power by that time is going to have to be concerned not only about their health but frozen pipes in their houses.”
Power restoration efforts are underway, but utility companies anticipate that it could take several days to restore service fully. Consumers Energy has deployed over 600 crews across the state, with more than 300 specifically focused on Northern Michigan. Brian Wheeler, a spokesperson for Consumers Energy, stated, “We’re planning to get most customers back on Tuesday, and then the hardest-hit areas, the ones where we have to do some very significant repairs and rebuilding, that will take until Wednesday.”
In the City of Petoskey, power was lost to about 50% of the city at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 29. A subsequent outage at around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday resulted in total power loss across the city. The city has opened a warming shelter at City Hall for those in need.
The City of Harbor Springs also reported significant outages, with officials indicating that power could remain out for “several hours to a few days.” The city has activated its generator to provide power to critical facilities, including the middle school and fire station.
In Alpena County, officials are encouraging residents to shelter in place to protect themselves from the elements. City Manager Rachel Smolinski stated that emergency services are available as normal, but that residents should avoid unnecessary travel due to hazardous conditions.
As the storm’s aftermath continues to unfold, residents are advised to stay away from downed power lines and report any hazards to authorities. The Michigan Public Service Commission has urged the public to maintain a safe distance from downed lines, emphasizing that they should always be assumed to be electrified.
With the storm causing chaos and widespread outages, the emphasis remains on safety and recovery. Local officials are working diligently to restore power and clear roads, but residents are advised to remain patient and vigilant during this challenging time.
As Northern Michigan deals with the fallout from this severe winter storm, the community's resilience and cooperation will be crucial in the days ahead. Emergency services and utility crews are committed to restoring normalcy, but the road to recovery will take time and effort from all involved.
