Thousands remain without power following storm

Kevin Kludy shared this photo of the storm in Benona Township.

WEST MICHIGAN — Over 13,000 Great Lakes Energy members remain without power Monday morning, Aug. 3, in parts of 22 counties following damaging storms that raced across the state throughout the day Sunday, according to a GLE press release.

Most of the outages are in parts of Antrim, Crawford and Kalkaska counties that were among the areas hardest hit by the last round of severe storms that rolled in late Sunday afternoon.

Since Sunday morning, over 30,000 Great Lakes Energy members in all 26 counties served by the electric cooperative were affected by the storms with crews able to restore power to an estimated 16,702 so far. Its service area stretches along the entire western side of the lower peninsula.

All available Great Lakes Energy repair crews assisted by contracted line crews are working today in an attempt to restore power to most of those still without electricity.  However, not everyone is expected to have their power restored today due to the severity of the power line damage and the large, widespread areas still affected.

Great Lakes Energy members are reminded to stay away from downed power lines and also stay clear of trees and limbs that are hanging on the lines.

Current outage information by counties and townships that is updated every 15 minutes can be viewed on the Great Lakes Energy website, www.gtlakes.com, by clicking on Storm Central.

GLE members should report their outage by calling the electric cooperative’s automated, toll-free outage number:  1-800-678-0411.