LANSING, MI — Powerful storms swept across mid-Michigan early on Sunday evening, March 30, 2025, causing widespread damage and leaving over 260,000 residents without power. The severe weather, which included thunderstorms with winds exceeding 60 mph and even an EF-0 tornado, resulted in downed trees and power lines, as well as significant property damage, including the roof of an elementary school gym in Muskegon.
As of Tuesday morning, April 1, 2025, nearly 100,000 customers were still without power, prompting urgent restoration efforts from utility companies. Consumers Energy reported approximately 97,000 outages on their service map, while DTE Energy and other providers also faced significant outages across the state. The storms not only wreaked havoc in southern Michigan but also in the northern regions, where an ice storm had already caused substantial power loss.
According to Consumers Energy spokesperson Tracy Wimmer, the utility company had prepared for the storms by deploying over 600 crews, some from neighboring states such as Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois. Crews began working 16-hour shifts immediately after the storms hit, focusing on restoring power as quickly as possible. "Our goal is to have the majority restored by the end of the day on Tuesday, but it could be Wednesday for some," Wimmer stated.
As of late Monday morning, March 31, Consumers Energy had managed to reduce the number of outages to about 154,400 statewide, down from over 182,000 reported on Sunday night. In the Lansing area alone, the number of customers without power was just under 15,000, down from more than 18,000 earlier that day. The Lansing Board of Water and Light reported about 440 customers without power, significantly reduced from roughly 4,000 on Sunday.
In addition to Consumers Energy, DTE Energy reported around 3,500 outages in the Williamston and Webberville areas on Sunday evening, which decreased to approximately 2,745 by late Monday morning. The utility expected that 95% of affected customers would have their service restored by the end of Monday.
Tri-County Electric Cooperative, serving parts of southern Ingham and western Eaton counties, initially reported about 4,000 customers impacted by the storm, but that number fell to slightly more than 600 by late Monday morning. Despite the progress, some areas were still facing delays in restoration.
The storms not only caused power outages but also led to school closures across several districts, including Mason, Williamston, Webberville, Leslie, and Jackson. Classes were canceled on Monday, March 31, to ensure student safety amid ongoing cleanup efforts.
In response to the outages, Consumers Energy is offering assistance to affected customers. A free meal is being provided at the E-Free Church Gaylord Campus at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, for those impacted by the storm. Utility companies have also issued safety reminders, urging residents to stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines and to report any unguarded lines by calling 9-1-1 or Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050.
With additional severe weather forecasted for Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the urgency of restoration efforts is heightened. Chris Fultz, an officer in charge of storm restoration at Consumers Energy, expressed gratitude for the community's patience during this challenging time. "We want to reward that patience by doing all we can to serve people in need today," he said.
The storms that struck Michigan on March 30 were part of a series of severe weather events that have plagued the state, including three waves of storms leading up to the weekend. The combination of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and ice has made this a particularly unusual and damaging week for Michigan's weather.
As restoration efforts continue, utility crews are working diligently to address the remaining outages, with the majority of customers expected to have power restored by April 1, 2025, and the hardest-hit areas by April 2, 2025. Consumers Energy has emphasized its commitment to restoring service safely and efficiently, ensuring that all customers who rely on their power will be taken care of.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed about their power status by checking their utility provider's outage maps and estimated restoration times. For those who use DTE Energy, Indiana Michigan Power, Great Lakes Power, and other regional services, outage maps and contact information are readily available online.
As the situation develops, updates will be provided to keep the community informed about power restoration efforts and safety guidelines. The resilience of Michigan residents in the face of such severe weather is commendable, and with the combined efforts of utility companies and the community, normalcy will soon return.
