19,000 Remain Without Power After Gusty Winds Down Lines

DETROIT (WWJ)- High winds Wednesday evening are responsible for causing power outages and traffic signal problems across the area.

DTE Energy said 19,000 homes and businesses were still without power Thursday morning, down from high of 68,000.

A wind advisory was in effect through the night, said Meteorologist Jim Madaus. Wind gusts of 43 miles per hour were reported  throughout Metro Detroit, and gusts of 55 miles per hour were reported near Battle Creek Ypsilanti, Monroe and Saginaw.

DTE said the hardest hit areas are Ann Arbor, Howell, Pontiac and several communities in western Wayne County.

There were also traffic signal problems in the area of Hoover and I-696 and in Canton Township, where police closed I-275 in both directions because of downed power lines. Gibraltar and Farmington Hills also experienced traffic signal problems.

DTE officials said they are working on the problem, but do not have an estimation when everyone will be back on the grid.

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