Metro Detroit residents surprised, dismayed to spend July 4 weekend without power - The Detroit News

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"I think this whole neighborhood is out. I've been staying at my parents, who are luckily up north right now," he said. "I'm over there in Royal Oak by 14 Mile (Rd) and Coolidge ... their power was on, really nothing damaged in their area." More: How DTE, Consumers customers can get $40 per day for power outages Loos, 38, said he hadn't had an outage last longer than a day in the five years he's been living on Osmun. On Sunday afternoon, he stopped in to check on his home, but still no luck. Power is not expected to be restored until late Wednesday for some Michigan victims of the extreme weather that left as many as 500,000 without electricity over the July 4 holiday weekend. DTE Energy, the provider for most of eastern Michigan, estimates that 85% to 90% of customers will be restored by end of day Sunday and 95% by the end of Monday. But power is not expected to resume until late Monday for many, with some outages lasting until Tuesday or even into Wednesday. Other residents in the area of John R and East 11 Mile Road in Madison Heights said they didn't expect the outage to last this long. Pat and Jim Goatley, who've been living on Osmun for over 50 years, spent their Independence Day without power. They used a generator for appliances but still had no lights Sunday. "We cooked over here because I had the generator and we took it over to my son's house, he didn't have electricity either," Pat Goatley said. "We can't even get a WiFi." More: How long does food keep during a power outage? CDC offers guidance More: Flood advisory issued as new storms hit Metro Detroit More: Thousands remain without power after Michigan storms More than 99,743 DTE Energy customers, down from 138,000 earlier Sunday, remained without power Sunday evening following the Friday storms. Consumers Energy, which covers most of the western part of the state, had more than 36,000, down from 43,000 earlier Sunday, remaining without power by evening. Tim Johnson of Madison Heights was using a generator too that lost power Saturday night, but thankfully powered up Sunday. He was more concerned about his municipality restoring power in traffic lights to reduce chances of vehicle collisions. "I'm running my refrigerator basically right now and to be able to charge my cellphone," he said. The 12-year resident said he barely loses power, even when his neighbors do on Lorenz Street. "I think this is the second time this year and probably the longest (without power)," said Johnson, 64. Sherri Jeske also of Madison Heights, said they not only were facing outages but had a downed line in their backyard. Jeske, who lives near Lincoln Avenue and John R Road, said she was told by DTE that power would return by Tuesday. "We've had a downed power lined in your yard laying on flammable wicker furniture for over 48 hours," Jeske said in an email to The News. "In what world is it acceptable to leave a live wire laying on flammable items in a backyard for five days? Given all the rate hikes granted DTE, I can't understand why we can't get ahold of anyone and the infrastructure is this unreliable." Both utilities offer power outage credits for extended outages. But Detroit U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib said the reimbursements don't cover what customers lose in outages. By Monday, "our groceries will be spoiled and our medicines will not be usable. Yet, the Michigan Public Services Commission thinks $25 to $35 reimbursement rate is reasonable. It is not," Tlaib said in a Facebook post. Tlaib urged people to contact the commission Monday and tell them Michiganians deserve better reimbursement. Last year, the Michigan Public Services Commission increased the power outage reimbursement rate to $42 per day from $35 in 2023. Before then, customers were eligible only for a one-time $25 reimbursement. The outage estimates came as new rounds of storms hit Metro Detroit on Sunday, impacting restoration efforts and prompting a flooding advisory for parts of Wayne and Monroe counties. The areas where restoration will take longest are sporadic and tend to have the fewest customers. For example, a handful of customers without power along Jefferson Road near Gibraltar in Wayne County are being notified that power may not be restored until 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to DTE Energy's website. More than 180 electricity customers near Armada in northern Macomb County are expected to have power returned by 11:30 p.m. on July 7, according to company estimates. Power there has been off there since 5:02 p.m. July 4, DTE says. Consumers Energy also shows areas that aren't expected to have power before Wednesday, such as an area north of Adrian, where power to 88 customers remains out due to storm damage. More: DTE ties 10% proposed rate hike to data center, reprieve pledge When will power be restored?DTE customers can check the status of their outage here. Consumers Energy customers can check the status of their outage here. DTE and Consumers provide customers with bill credits for extended outages. For more information on DTE's program, click here. For more information on Consumers' program, click here. The utilities ask people to assume downed lines are live and dangerous and remain at least 25 feet away from them or anything in contact with them. The utilities ask those who have power lines affected by a fallen tree or branch to call 911 and then notify them. Power line issues can be reported to DTE here.Issues can be reported to Consumers here or by calling 800-477-5050.