MICHIGAN — In a press release on Sunday, Consumers Energy stated that it was preparing crews to restore power ahead of a second storm that will end 2025 with high winds and the potential for power outages.

Consumers Energy states in the release that the public should be ready for winds above 50 mph, which were expected to start late Sunday night and continue through the afternoon today.

According to the release, Consumers Energy planned to mobilize 500 crews to start restoring power as of 10 p.m. on Sunday when gusts start in Southern Michigan and then continue statewide.

“We have been watching the forecast closely and want our friends and neighbors to know our crews will be ready to respond,” Consumers Energy Officers in Charge Norm Kapala said in the release. “We understand it can be frustrating to see more storms for the second time in a week, and we are committed to restoring power to our customers as quickly and safely as we can.”

The release states that crews from Consumers Energy, and Michigan contractors, were preparing to continue work after restoring power to 90,000 customers affected by Friday’s ice storm. The new storm, which was scheduled to start on Sunday, is expected to deliver high winds and varying amounts of snow across the state. Consumers Energy urges people to be careful when driving and watch for crews working along roads.

According to the release, Consumers Energy also urges the public to keep these following safety tips in mind: 

— Be alert to crews working along roadsides. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they can go safely past. 

— Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines and report unguarded downed lines by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Consumers Energy reminds people that falsely calling in downed lines slows down the restoration process for everyone. 

— Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement, enclosed patio, or near any air intakes. Doing so could cause a generator to produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless, and deadly gas.  Read more guidance on safe generator use here. 

— Consumers Energy will trim or remove trees interfering with electric restoration activities. Once safe to do so, clean-up of debris from tree trimming or removal during a storm emergency is the responsibility of individual property owners.

— In some cases, the mast  that  holds the electric service wires to a home or business may have been damaged or torn away. Crews will reconnect the wires to a home, but only a licensed electrician can repair or replace a mast or a cable.