Michigan Faces Widespread Power Outages After Severe Late-Night Storms

Michigan experienced significant storm damage and widespread power outages following a line of severe thunderstorms that swept through the state late Thursday night, May 15, and into Friday morning, May 16.

The most severely impacted area is southwest Michigan, where hurricane-force winds and damaging hail knocked out electricity to more than 258,000 customers, according to data from PowerOutage.us and utility companies.

The National Weather Service (NWS) Detroit/Pontiac Office reported that wind gusts associated with the storm line reached up to 75 mph in Battle Creek, 66 mph in Kalamazoo, and 61 mph in both Lansing and Grand Rapids. The intense storms also prompted tornado warnings across at least 16 counties in Michigan, although no tornado touchdowns have yet been confirmed by meteorologists.

This powerful weather system caused trees to fall, power lines to break, and structural damage in affected communities, leaving many residents without power during the overnight hours and early Friday.

Several utility providers are managing restoration efforts in different parts of Michigan, with updated outage figures as of 9 a.m. on May 16:

The counties with the highest outages in southwest Michigan include:

In west Michigan, Muskegon County reports about 20,070 outages, Ottawa County 15,274, and Kent County nearly 6,800.

Mid-Michigan counties with significant outages include Ingham County with 29,706 customers affected and Eaton County with 10,753.

Southeast Michigan, primarily served by DTE Energy, currently shows about 9,827 customers without power, with notable outages in Livingston, St. Clair, and Oakland counties.

In northern Lower Peninsula counties such as Manistee, Montmorency, and Roscommon, smaller outage numbers persist, with Presque Isle Electric & Gas Cooperative reporting 182 customers without power.

In the Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin Electric Power Company notes 11,310 outages, mainly on the Wisconsin side. Michigan’s Gogebic County has 786 customers without power, with Ontonagon County reporting 44.

Utility companies are deploying crews around the clock to assess damage, clear debris, and restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Residents are encouraged to:

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) advises customers to monitor updates from utilities and local emergency management offices.

The National Weather Service and Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division emphasize the importance of preparedness during severe weather seasons. The storm system is expected to subside, but residents should remain vigilant as scattered storms and hazardous weather may continue.

Michigan’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division recommends reviewing severe weather safety tips and having a plan for power outages, especially for vulnerable populations.

Power outages of this magnitude disrupt daily life and can affect schools, businesses, healthcare facilities, and transportation. Local governments coordinate with utilities to manage emergency response and provide support services as needed.

The state government continues to monitor the situation closely, with resources available through the Michigan.gov portal for disaster response and recovery information.

Michigan’s recent severe weather event underscores the importance of emergency preparedness and the resilience of utility services in restoring power during widespread outages.

Residents affected by these storms should prioritize safety, stay informed through official channels such as the National Weather Service and Michigan Public Service Commission, and follow local emergency guidance.

Continued coordination between government agencies and utilities will be key to ensuring a swift recovery for the impacted communities.