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Blizzard and High Wind Warnings posted ahead of powerful wind, blinding snow

Posted at 3:46 PM, Feb 23, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-24 00:43:09-05

WEST MICHIGAN — Be prepared to lose your power, the wicked winds are almost here.

The National Weather Service has upgraded the Winter Storm Watches and High Wind Watches to High Wind Warnings. A Blizzard Warning is also in effect for Oceana, Mecosta and Newaygo counties for blowing and drifting snow leading to extremely low visibility. 4 to 8 inches of snow is expected in the blizzard warned areas. Both expire at 7 a.m. Monday!

Winds are expected to become sustained out of the west at 35 to 45 miles per hour with gusts from 50 to 60 miles per hour at times in the morning on Sunday. Cities could see gusts of 65 miles per hour, especially near the lakeshore, during the afternoon and evening.

Sunday’s storm will be so strong that it “will rival the historic fall storms like the 1998 storm, the Fitzgerald storm of 1975 and the Armistice Day storm of 1940”, according to the National Weather Service here in Grand Rapids.

The threat for extensive tree and power line damage is high with this storm. Some locations could lose their power for days as cleanup afterward will take some time.

Make sure you are prepared for an extended time without power by gathering nonperishable food and plenty of drinkable water. If you have electronics, make sure you charge them as much as you can today so they are good to go if the power goes out tomorrow.

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