10:00 P.M. UPDATE–-Finally our outage numbers are dropping at a steady rate as our crews made outstanding progress today. We currently have approximately 5,300 members without power (Chippewa County – 4,400; Mackinac County – 810; Luce County – 119).
Our electronic technicians and vegetation control manager spent the day doing damage assessments, which was very valuable to pinpoint issues and contribute to overall progress. An additional mutual aid crew that is being released from a neighboring co-op will be on site with our crews Thursday morning.
We will also have an additional tree crew that can assist with cleaning limbs and trees.
Warmer temperatures on Thursday will also help melt the snow and ice from branches weighing down lines. Although we are sorry that more than 5,000 members are without power for another night, we are hopeful that crews will continue to make strong progress on Thursday. As always, the entire co-op team in the field and behind the scenes remains steadfast in our mission to restore everyone as quickly and safely as possible.
6:00 P.M. UPDATE—Our outage numbers have decreased significantly with today’s progress. We currently have approximately 6,900 outages across Chippewa (5,700), Mackinac (900) and Luce (243) counties. We have now expanded to 40 crews to cover about 285 remaining outage locations. Crews are continuing to work late this evening and will complete another 16-hour shift before taking 8-hour safety rest. With temperatures warming this evening into Thursday, it will help melt the heavy snow and ice from trees and power lines. This factor will significantly help prevent additional outages, which has been a challenging part of restoration efforts.
2:00 P.M. UPDATE—Thanks to better weather conditions and additional mutual aid crews from Great Lakes Energy, we now have 35 crews tackling outages in over 300 locations.
With good weather conditions and daylight, they are making strong headway and reduced outages to approximately 9,000. Additional outages are still occurring as snow load weighs down lines and trees on lines, so numbers will continue to fluctuate. We expect to have members out of power again tonight and ask you to plan appropriately. With an event of this magnitude, it is important to continue to check on family/friends/neighbors. Please use 2-1-1 for non-emergency resources and details on warming shelters.
We greatly appreciate the dedication of local law enforcement and other partners who are assisting while we restore normalcy to our membership. Our sincerest thanks to our members for their continued patience in dealing with the inconvenience nature brought us this week.
10:00 A.M. UPDATE—We begin this third day of storm recovery with over 10,000 outages in Chippewa (8,900), Mackinac (1,200), Luce (580) and Schoolcraft (30) counties.
Damage from heavy snow and ice is extensive so progress has been slow going, but our crews have another 16-hour day ahead.
In addition to our current mutual aid crews, we are securing more mutual aid assistance as crews become available from down state. Our line crews and system controllers have reported conditions worse than they’ve ever seen – but their mission is steadfast to restore power to our members as quickly and safely as possible.
Keep in mind these outages span approximately 280 locations and each restoration has been fairly complex, so it will take time. Please continue to exercise caution outdoors and report downed lines, trees on lines and broken poles.
We know these circumstances are very frustrating for our members still without power and we ask for your continued understanding and patience. The entire Cloverland family is working extremely hard in the field and behind the scenes to get lights on for our members.
6:00 A.M. UPDATE—A new year and new decade begins on an epic note for Cloverland Electric Cooperative as power outages reached historic records from Monday’s storm. Freezing rain and ice paralyzed the Eastern Upper Peninsula with outages affecting more than half of the co-op’s 33,000 members by Tuesday morning. Crews managed to decrease outage counts significantly by Tuesday afternoon. Approximately 10,000 Cloverland members remained without power on New Year’s Eve with the majority in Chippewa County.
Cloverland crews are assisted by mutual aid crews from five electric utilities down-state. Outages remain in approximately 300 locations, so the co-op has requested additional crews as they become available. Due to extensive storm damage that includes repairs to more than 200 line sections and numerous broken poles, exact restoration times are uncertain for this extended multi-day event. After two 16-hour days, Cloverland crews will once again work into the night until mandatory safety 8-hour rest. Mutual aid crews will continue assisting Cloverland crews with restoration efforts until all members have power.
“The snow load on lines and trees is extreme,” says Cloverland President and CEO Mike Heise. “Besides the risk of injury from a falling limb or tree, there is the danger associated with contacting an unsuspecting downed or low hanging line. Stay alert if you venture out and please report any safety concerns to us or your local emergency services. Be a member of our safety team too,” Heise adds.
Cloverland Electric urges its members and those visiting the area over the holiday to exercise caution over the coming days. Crews aiding in the recovery efforts are experienced and have the necessary training to do so safely. While members have offered to assist with clean-up efforts, the co-op reminds everyone that conditions are dangerous and cautions anyone eager to help. The best form of support is encouragement on social media.
“We share all comments with our employees. From our crews in the field to our everyone working countless hours behind the scenes, the positive feedback makes a difference,” says Heise. “Everyone wants to see the lights back on quickly and safely.”
As previously communicated, Cloverland Electric members need to consider alternate arrangements as necessary to ensure their safety during this extended outage that will take multiple days to restore. Those who depend on electricity for medical equipment should continue an emergency back-up plan for alternate sources of power or alternate lodging. Members with unmet, non-emergency needs should call 2-1-1 for guidance on local resources.
Cloverland Electric reminds the public to stay safe and stay clear of downed power lines and report them by calling 1-800-562-4953 or local law enforcement agencies. Members with access to www.cloverland.com and Cloverland Electric’s Facebook page can stay current on restoration efforts and planned updates at 6 a.m./10 a.m./ 2 p.m./6 p.m./10 p.m. However, the co-op reminds its members not use Facebook or other social media platforms to report outages, post service addresses or other account information.
Next update: 2 p.m. (it will appear above this same post, not as a separate post)
