By Douglas P. Marsh
dmarsh@cherryroad.com
An ice storm last weekend led to power outages for almost one million people across the northern midwest, including over 80% of Oscoda County residents. A press release from Consumers Energy estimated that it would take until Tuesday to restore power to all the affected areas.
Meteorologists and broadcast media outlets began issuing warnings Thursday afternoon, March 28, that ice storm conditions were imminent.
Friday, Consumers Energy said they were mobilizing more than 600 crews in anticipation of the oncoming storms. They issued notices for three waves of the storm.
“Consumers Energy has been closely watching a forecast that calls for ice as soon as late Friday through early Saturday,” said the company’s notice from Friday afternoon. “The company is alerting the public and local emergency officials, while staging crews—some from Illinois, Indiana and Ohio—to start work in waves over the coming days.”
As outages swept through the area Friday, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Oscoda County announced on social media that they would provide a warming and resource shelter at Fairview School starting Saturday at 9 a.m.
The next day, shortly after 10 a.m., a CERT member reported that the Fairview School had lost power. An hour later, another CERT member reported that the shelter had moved to the Fairview Fire Station.
That facility closed Sunday at 4 p.m. and a notice was put out that the Mio Au Sable School would function as a shelter. A subsequent notice indicated that shelter closed at 6 p.m. and that the Mio Community Center was opened as a shelter.
“The Mio Community Center is open as a warming/resource center,” said CERT member Tim Hayes in a statement on social media Monday morning. “We have water, snacks and cots for those who may need it. Power is coming back slowly but if you need to warm up or charge your phones you are welcome to join us. As power is coming back it is more important to watch for downed power lines especially those across the roads. Be safe in your travels.”
That evening, Michigan’s State Emergency Operations Center announced that Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated the SEOC to respond to the ice storms at 12 p.m. on Sunday, March 30.
Northeast Michigan Emergency Management encourages residents experiencing crises related to housing to call 211.
