DTE Energy officials said late in the morning that more than 2,600 storm response team members were working already to repair damage and restore electricity with another 80 en route from outside of the state to assist in restoration efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe estimate that 80 percent of impacted customers will be restored by the end of the day,\u201d DTE said. \u201cWe know how challenging it is to be without power.\u201d<\/p>\n
The utility emphasized that workers are acting quickly but also will work as safely as possible. One issue to contend with is the potential for more severe weather on Thursday. At 10:50 a.m., the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning<\/a> with a storm system moving eastward through central Oakland County with wind gusts of 70 mph expected. The warning will last until 11:45 a.m.<\/p>\n \u201cExpect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings,\u201d the NWS said. \u201cPeople attending Michigan State Fair should seek safe shelter immediately!\u201d<\/p>\n By 10 a.m., the number of outages for DTE Energy topped 101,800 customers before being reduced slightly to just over 99,000 an hour later.<\/p>\n Center Line Public Schools and Howell Public Schools had to cancel classes Thursday as did Brother Rice and Marian high schools due to power outages. According to wxyz.com<\/a>, a large tree was toppled, crashing into a home. Also, WWJ-950 reported<\/a> on a massive tree having been knocked onto a home in Warren.<\/p>\n There were no immediate reports of significant storm damage in Macomb or Oakland counties on Wednesday night, but that could change by Thursday morning in the light of day, according to the National Weather Service.<\/p>\n \u201cThe characteristics of this storm produced severe damaging winds produced as it moved through Livingston and Oakland counties and to the east through Macomb County,\u201d said Alex Manion, a meteorologist with the weather service.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had reports of 67 mile an hour winds near the Livingston County airport and one of our employees lives in Livingston and he estimated wind gusts to be around 70 mph at the very least.\u201d<\/p>\n In Macomb County, winds were between 45 and 60 mph during the storms, Manion said.<\/p>\n According to DTE\u2019s outage map, more than 56,000 utility customers were without electricity early Thursday. The map showed pockets of Macomb County neighborhoods had no power.<\/p>\n As of 6 a.m. Thursday, DTE showed 81,500 customers without power with the highest concentrations between M-59 and I-96.<\/p>\n The county was under a severe thunderstorm warning late Wednesday. A flood warning was in effect until 5:30 a.m. Thursday for southwestern Macomb and southern Oakland counties as 2 inches of rain was expected.<\/p>\n Meteorologists said the region had a marginal risk of showers and strong thunderstorms for Thursday and Friday before the area dries out for a nice Labor Day weekend as the humid and hot conditions end. Highs between Saturday and Monday should be about 80 degrees.<\/p>\n DTE urged people to remember to stay at least 25 feet away from any downed power lines or anything in contact with them.<\/p>\n Watchdog releases review of Michigan registered voters<\/a><\/p>\n Defense contractor to invest $5 million to expand new hub in Sterling Heights<\/a><\/p>\n Marian all smiles in sweep of Country Day with Calli LeFevre back on the court<\/a><\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/tmd-l-lightning-0903-01.jpg\")
A bolt of lightning illuminates the sky over Roseville near Common and Utica roads on Wednesday night. (MITCH HOTTS — THE MACOMB DAILY)<\/p>\n