Watch CBS News

Power Mostly Restored In Michigan After Superstorm Sandy

PORT HURON (WWJ/AP) - Utility crews  are continuing to work to restore all electrical service to the last pockets of Michigan homes and businesses without power following high winds brought on by Superstorm Sandy earlier in the week.

DTE report just about 5,000 customers remained without power late Thursday morning.  The utility has already restored service to 115,000 homes and businesses across southeast Michigan. Nearly everyone should have power restored by tonight.

DTE is constantly updating a power outage map to show residents where to expect the worst. Click here to check the map.

DTE's Detroit Edison unit had at least 120,000 of its 2.1 million electricity customers that lost service amid the state's brush with Sandy. Officials said strong winds, with gusts reaching 50 mph, caused more than 500 power lines to come down.

Crews from other electric utilities have been called in to assist DTE employees who have been working 16-hour shifts, around the clock, to restore service. DTE says a number of crews from Wisconsin are expected in Detroit Thursday morning.

Jackson-based CMS Energy Corp.'s said Wednesday all of its affected customers had power back. About 34,000 of the utility's 1.8 million electricity customers initially lost power.

The storm's winds knocked down trees and turned streets and highways into demolition alleys. The weather prompted warnings for the Great Lakes, with waves up to 23-feet reported on Lake Huron and near record-breaking 20-foot waves on Lake Michigan.

Tips: Stay Safe During A Power Outage

TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.