Crews Survey Damage After Storms Roll Across Michigan
Thousands Still Without Electricity
POSTED: 2:05 pm EDT June 7,
2008
UPDATED: 2:54 pm EDT June 7,
2008
SAGINAW, Mich. -- Crews planned to survey damage after thunderstorms caused scattered power outages and uprooted trees across Michigan's Lower Peninsula.No injuries were reported from Friday's storms.The National Weather Service said that high winds were to blame for the damage, but it plans to investigate whether the storms spawned any tornadoes.The weather service said the worst wind damage, along with large hail, was reported in Kent, Barry and Clinton counties.In Saginaw, winds exceeding 65 mph and was also accompanied by large damaging hail.Saginaw officials said fire crews and mutual aid partners responded to 180 calls in the seven hour span. Damaged houses and downed trees also were reported through out the area.Preliminary reports indicate as many as 300 trees were down in the city causing multiple concerns for passing motorists and emergency vehicles.Utility officials said Friday’s storms knocked out electrical service to about 160,000 customers statewide.Consumers Energy said about 45,000 of its more than 104,000 customers that lost power still didn't have electrical service Saturday. That includes 9,800 in the Saginaw area and 9,700 around Kalamazoo.Detroit Edison said about 22,000 customers were without power Saturday out of the about 50,000 of its customers that lost power.
Copyright 2008 by WNEM.COM. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved.
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