Utility crews race to restore power for tens of thousands after Michigan storms

A series of severe weather events, including an EF-0 tornado and damaging winds up to 70 mph, battered Metro Detroit and surrounding communities, toppling trees and snapping power infrastructure. DTE Energy reported that around 450,000 customers lost electricity since the storms began on Wednesday, with still-over 75,000 without power as of Saturday afternoon. The utility has assigned roughly 4,000 crews to the restoration effort and targets restoring power to 90-92% of affected customers by Saturday night.

Residents such as Julie Vasquez described the scene as devastating, and Pastor Maurice Stimage noted that his church escaped major damage despite nearby destruction. DTE officials cautioned the public to keep generators outdoors and to wait for crews to clear hazardous lines before beginning cleanup.