Power restoration efforts continue in Northern Michigan days after ice storm

OSCODA CO., Mich. (WNEM) - Thousands are still without power days after last weekend’s historic ice storm.

TV5’s James Felton was there on Thursday, April 3, speaking with people who have been affected by these outages for days now.

“We’ve been six days with no power. We’ve been having to depend on our neighbors and ourselves,” said Michelle Wilmot.

Wilmot and her neighbor, Susan Drake, said they’ve been without power since Saturday, March 29. They live in Big Creek Township, just outside of Mio, in Oscoda County.

That area is one of many affected by an ice storm over the weekend.

“Anxiety, big time. And sleepless nights because I got to worry about coming out so my generator don’t quit. It’s been hard,” Drake said.

The pair said while they appreciate the efforts of Consumers Energy to restore power, they could do more. They showed a text from Consumers Energy saying power at their address had been restored. That’s not the case.

Meanwhile, in Mio, Linda Jagiello, owner of the Cutting Castle, believes utility crews are doing the best they can, and doesn’t understand why some people are upset.

“These men have been working around the clock. We have so many other crews from many different states here working. And our own local men that have been with Consumers for years. And it was just very sad to think that they had such low regard for what they already have been doing, and they’re going to be continuing to do for days to come,” Jagiello said.

Trisha Bloembergen, a Consumers Energy spokesperson, said the melting ice has helped with restoration efforts.

“We are able to reach more of those difficult areas so that we can restore power to our customers more efficiently and quickly than we have been in previous days,” she said.

Consumers Energy said they realize how difficult it is to lose power for days at a time, but they’re asking for patience.

“I want the community to know I really appreciate the whole help that we’ve received. But I think that we should have been better prepared, and I think next time we can be better prepared,” Wilmot said.

Consumers Energy said they’re hoping to restore power to the majority of customers in the region by the end of the day Friday, April 4. The company said about 100,000 customers lost power due to the ice storm.

Consumers Energy wants to remind everyone to never go near a downed power line.

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