MICHIGAN — A significant ice storm is effectively shutting down northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, along with northern Wisconsin.
The combination of anICE STORM WARNING and WINTER STORM WARNING covers every county in the U.P. and much of northeastern Lower Michigan.
Trees and power lines are down throughout the region, creating tens of thousands of power outages. Roads are nearly impassable, with many communities are urging residents to "Shelter In Place," due to the hazardous conditions.
According to Consumers Energy, over 600 crews from the utility, Michigan contractors and out-of-state are working to restore power.
FOX 17 spotted several utility trucks Sunday afternoon in Kalamazoo. Crews told us that they were staging to respond to the ice storm.
“Mother Nature has thrown a tremendous challenge at Michigan, and we’re determined to respond, to get the lights back on and to help so many communities recover," said Norm Kapala, a Consumers Energy officer in charge of today's storm response.
Consumers Energy says power should be restored to the majority of Northern Michigan on Tuesday, with the hardest hit areas on Wednesday.
Follow FOX 17: Facebook - X (formerly Twitter) - Instagram - YouTube
