Thunderstorms packing damaging winds swept across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula this week, downing trees and lines and knocking out power to more than 100,000 utility customers statewide, with one major utility reporting over 80,000 customers out at the peak. Crews are working through hundreds of damage sites as cleanup continues.

The Quiet Cost of “Ordinary” Storms

Events like this rarely lead the national news, yet they account for an enormous share of the hours Americans spend without power each year. A single line of thunderstorms can produce outages lasting one to three days across suburban and rural areas, spoiling food, stopping sump pumps, and shutting down home offices.

Preparing for Possible Impacts

• Inspect your standby generator and ensure it is ready to activate automatically if power is lost.
• Run a test cycle to confirm your system starts and transfers power properly.
• Plan for fuel supply and make sure natural gas or propane systems are fully connected and serviced.
• Consider an upgrade. Whole-home backup solutions from Generac and Kohler deliver seamless power protection during prolonged outages.

Stay Informed

Summer thunderstorm season is only beginning across the Great Lakes. Make backup power part of your storm plan before the next line forms.