The northern part of Michigan, particularly the tip of the mitten, faced another challenging day on Tuesday as they continued to cope with power outages. These outages were a result of a severe ice storm over the weekend, causing widespread damage and leaving residents in freezing conditions.
Schools in several counties in the northern Lower Peninsula remained closed, while local law enforcement, equipped with chain saws, worked tirelessly to clear roads. Sheriff’s deputies even took on the task of delivering oxygen to homebound individuals. Gas stations saw long lines as people queued up in their vehicles, showcasing the considerable impact on daily life.
The region is no stranger to extreme weather conditions, with Gaylord experiencing nearly 200 inches (approximately 5 meters) of snowfall this winter. However, this ice storm presented a unique challenge. Charlevoix County Sheriff Chuck Vondra remarked on the severe situation, noting, “The trees and power lines are overloaded, literally. Everything is collapsing.”
According to poweroutage.us, more than 170,000 outages were still reported across Michigan by Tuesday night, a reduction from over 300,000 earlier in the week. However, some communities have been without power since Saturday. The Cheboygan County sheriff advised residents to consider temporarily relocating if they had alternative accommodations. Emergency shelters were set up, with Petoskey City Hall and a portion of the Odawa Casino operating on generators to provide warmth and charging stations.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer dispatched the Michigan National Guard to assist with restoration efforts. However, the process has been hindered by debris, impassable roads, and downed poles, each requiring hours to replace, as stated by Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op.
Petra Tank, a local from Petoskey, shared her experience of seeking warmth and a place to shower at a friend’s house, realizing the severity of the situation. “I realized, ‘Oh, this is a big deal. We’re not going to be back at work this week,’” she noted, acknowledging the prolonged nature of the disruptions.
The Alpena News, impacted by the outages, was unable to produce a Monday or Tuesday print edition but aimed to resume with a Wednesday publication. Managing Editor Torianna Marasco utilized internet access from outside the affected area to continue posting stories online.
The Mackinac Bridge, an essential link between Michigan’s peninsulas, faced intermittent closures due to ice hazards. Meanwhile, Convoy of Hope, a relief organization, worked to deliver essential supplies to the affected region.
In Onaway, staff at Tom’s Family Market assisted customers using flashlights, with owner Bryan Madison humorously noting the absence of tax collection during these challenging times.
Pastor Mike Way from Center Point Assembly church in Charlevoix expressed the community’s anxiety, saying, “Everyone is on edge, and it’s my understanding that more snow and ice are on the way. We’re not out of the woods yet.”