More Power Problems: Thousands Out In Oakland County

HIGHLAND, Mich. (WWJ) - Utility customers are dealing with a major power outage Wednesday in Oakland County.

The outage affects 10,000 to 12,000 homes and businesses, stretching from just south of Holly to M-59.  This includes the Indian Springs Metropark as well as the Highland State Recreation area.

This time, the blackout doesn't have anything to do with Superstorm Sandy.

A DTE Energy spokesman said there is an issue with a main electric line that connects several others, and they are working on the problem.  He said some of these customers won't be back online until Saturday.

As a result of the outages, two schools announced an early dismissal on Wednesday. Spring Mills Elementary and Highland Elementary closed at 12:45 p.m. and there will be no afternoon activities at those buildings.

Meantime, all  but 35,000 of the 154,000 Michigan homes and businesses that lost power in Sandy have their electrical service back.

DTE Energy said about 35,000 of its customers remained without power at 11 a.m. Wednesday. The company says at least 120,000 of its customers were off line at one time or another Monday and Tuesday.

DTE said the remaining outages are widely scattered, and it will take several days before all customers get service restored.

CMS Energy said all of its affected customers now have their power back. About 34,000 of the Jackson-based utility's customers had lost power at some point Monday or Tuesday.

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