Tree down in Fair Plains Township, Montcalm County. (Photo by WZZM 13's Blake Naftel)
Montcalm County business without power due to July 5 overnight storms. (Photo by WZZM 13's Blake Naftel)
Storm damage to a hardware store in North Star, Mich. (Photo by WZZM 13's Blake Naftel)
GREENVILLE, Mich. (WZZM) -- Utility companies say it may be late Friday before some of the West Michigan areas hit by overnight storms may have power restored.
Consumers Energy says 68,600 customers were without power statewide after storms moved through the state early Thursday morning. While most of the damage was in mid-Michigan, some West Michigan counties suffered damage.
The outages include:
- Montcalm (County) - 4,539 (customers)
- Kent - 1,197
- Ionia - 472
- Mecosta - 237
WZZM 13's Blake Naftel drove east on M-57 in eastern Montcalm County Thursday and saw fallen trees, power poles and debris from houses littering the countryside.
"It was loud," said Bloomer Township resident Cary Hall, recalling the storms that hit early Thursday morning. "Actually, I didn't hear anything but the wind. It was rocking the house. It was just a heavy thunderstorm.
"We went to turn the TV on last night just to see if anybody had anything, and then couldn't watch TV," said Hall. "The power went out just about then."
Areas between Lakeview and Carson City suffered significant damage, and the outages have left people without power to fight the 100-degree heat.
"We're just trying to stay in the breeze, get what we can," said Hall Thursday. "The house is 94, probably 95 degrees now."
Hall's family camped out under their only standing tree, grateful for the shade an whatever breeze was blowing through.
The worst damage is centered around Genesee, Ingham and Clinton counties, and customers there may not have power restored until Saturday or Sunday.