Thousands without power in Lenawee County

Paula Wethington, The Daily Telegram
·2 min read
Consumers Energy power outage map; screenshot taken about 7:15 a.m. Feb. 23, 2023
Consumers Energy power outage map; screenshot taken about 7:15 a.m. Feb. 23, 2023

A winter storm packed with ice and freezing rain Wednesday has left thousands of Lenawee County residents in the dark.

Lenawee County, which was originally under a Winter Weather Advisory, was added to the Ice Storm Warning area already posted for mid-Michigan for several hours Wednesday evening.

Shortly after 11:20 p.m. Wednesday, the City of Adrian posted on its Facebook page: "Multiple streets are closed at this time throughout the City due to downed branches and power lines."

For about an hour Wednesday night, Lenawee County 911 service was down and residents were notified via text alerts and Facebook to call their local fire departments directly in case of an emergency. 911 service has since been resumed.

In preparation for the storm, Consumers Energy posted a list of safety notes that urged residents to "Stay at least 25 feet away from a downed wire and anything it is touching."

Consumers also posted an announcement on Twitter at 11:10 p.m. Wednesday that they were "waiting for conditions to improve" before attempting restoration efforts in some areas.

Outage map:Consumers Energy

Many area schools are closed today, including Tecumseh Public Schools that cited "power outages, downed trees, and icy conditions" in its announcement. Clinton Community Schools also are closed. The Adrian campus of Siena Heights University held its Wednesday classes remotely; and Adrian City Hall offices were closed Wednesday afternoon.

The Michigan Secretary of State issued a closing notice that listed its Adrian location among its offices that were closed for much of Wednesday because of the weather conditions.

Traffic woes included US-23:

  • Michigan Department of Transportation reported via Twitter and email shortly before 11:24 p.m. Wednesday that southbound US-23 after M-50, Exit 17, the exit to Dundee, was closed because of a downed tree. That area was back open by 2:34 a.m.

  • Then at 2:48 a.m., MDOT reported that southbound US-23 after Ida West Road, Exit 13, was closed because of downed trees. That area was back open by 6:55 a.m.

Paula Wethington is a digital producer for Gannett's Michigan Outstate papers, which include The Daily Telegram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Thousands without power in Lenawee County