Expect Damage, Blackouts With High Wind Warning In Effect Thursday
DETROIT (WWJ) - A High Wind Warning will be in effect for all of Southeast Michigan from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. Thursday. AccuWeather says winds will gust between 50-60 miles per hour throughout the day.
Because of the impending weather, DTE Energy crews are bracing for possible widespread power outages.
Spokesman Paul Whitman says they're preparing employees for some long days ahead.
"We're also notifying our employees about being prepared to do their storm assignment, because every employee at DTE has a storm assignment," said Whitman. "We all pitch in during these events."
"We're also reaching out to our crews — both contract and Edison crews — to notify them that, you know, we're gonna need them tomorrow, and to bring extra clothing in case we have to move them maybe for a couple day period while we work through these outages and restore our customers," he said.
The expected arrival of Thursday's high winds has many restoration companies "on call" beginning Wednesday night.
"People are gonna lose shingles," said Matt Beasley, with On-Site Specialty Cleaning and Restoration in Sterling Heights. "They're gonna lose trim, they're gonna lose siding, and...the trees next to the house are gonna come down on the houses."
"That's what they can expect," he said. "You can count on that."
The high-winds will mean three-to-five feet waves on the Detroit River and other local waterways.
Lt. Ben Chamberlain at the U-S Coast Guard in Detroit says that's too much for causal boaters to handle.
"I think we're seeing more and more people winterizing; it's that time that we're running out of daylight," Chamberlain said. "But I think that also sometimes encourages people to try to get that one last ride out there."
"...If you're gonna be on the water," he added, "make sure you're checking the weather forecast, make sure you're planning in advance and not taking unnecessary risks."
Chamberlain said the Coast Guard has search and rescue crews at the ready to help anyone who may be stranded on the water. There will also be back-up crews on standby.
The National Weather Service said the winds will finally begin to die down Friday afternoon. The strongest winds are expected between 2 and 8 p.m. Thursday. A little bit of snow is also possible. [More on the forecast HERE].
Know before you go: Keep it tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest forecast during traffic and weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s. See the live, local radar now at this link.
Sign up for severe weather text alerts: Text STORM to 95001
For daily weather forecast text alerts: Text FORECAST to 95001
