Ice Storm Snaps Trees, Power Lines
Winter weather is part of a rare April cold wave in Detroit
DTE Energy says the ice storm that hit southeast Michigan on April 14 and 15 brought down more than 2,000 power lines, leaving 370,000 customers without electricity. As of Apr. 16, that number was down to 250,000. Spokeswoman Stephanie Beres says 90 percent of those customers should have their power back by the end of the day on Apr. 17. She says it’s been a challenge for the utility’s line workers.
“We wanted to make sure those downed power lines were secured.” Beres says. “The were roped off and we were able to provide a safe environment for our community and for our workers to help start the restoration process.”
The ice storm was the latest in what has been one of the coldest Aprils Detroit has ever seen. The National Weather Service says through Apr. 15, the average daily temperature is 38.7 degrees Fahrenheit. That means Detroit is on pace for its second-coldest April since weather officials started keeping records in 1874. The average daily temperature in April that year was 37.6 degrees.
As line workers try to restore power, DTE has some safety tips for customers.
