DTE reports power outage in Romulus due to equipment failure | News

DTE Energy reported a power outage in Romulus due to an equipment failure at 11:15 a.m. on Thursday.

At least 822 customers were out of power on Thursday morning, according to the DTE outage map.

Power was expected to be restored by about 2:45 p.m., including a few individual households, whose cause of power failure was unknown.

But, by 12:37 p.m., the outage map only cited 3 households still without power.

The outages came on a warm but overcast and windy day in Michigan, with wind gusts Downriver set to exceed 30 mph, according to Accuweather.com.

Early Thursday afternoon, it was 67 degrees and partly sunny in the Metro Detroit area, with wind gusts up to 28 mph and a southwest wind blowing at 15 mph.

Some light rain was also expected, with cloud cover at 90 percent.

Other areas of the state were experiencing similar conditions.

Michigan State Police put out a warning early Thursday morning to motorists to watch out for the rain.

Another warm but windy day! So hang on to that steering wheel! Also getting some showers today. Remember, rain is like snow when it comes to driving. Keep it slow, increase your following distance and make sure your headlights are on. Best of all, Friday is coming!! pic.twitter.com/w2ygnm6yTj

— MSP Metro Detroit (@mspmetrodet) March 11, 2021

They also retweeted a notice from the Mackinac Bridge about winds on the bridge exceeding 50 mph, cautioning motorists to slow to 20 mph while crossing on Thursday.

MackinacBridge closed to all vehicles except passenger cars & vans and empty pickups. Winds 50+ mph. Reduce speed to 20mph approaching bridge & prepare to stop. Personnel stationed at both ends of bridge to provide instructions on how & when to proceed. https://t.co/cqkmEtK2pb

— The Mackinac Bridge (@mackinacbridge) March 11, 2021

“Currently we are experiencing winds of sufficient force in the Straits area to close the Mackinac Bridge to all vehicles except passenger cars, passenger vans, and empty pickup trucks. Winds are blowing across the bridge surface in excess of 50 miles per hour,” the Mackinac Bridge Authority wrote on their website.

“Motorists are being instructed to reduce their speed to 20 miles per hour as they approach the bridge and be prepared to stop. Bridge personnel are stationed at both ends of the structure to provide instructions regarding how and when to proceed across the bridge.”

Passenger cars, passenger vans and empty pick-up trucks were being permitted to cross, with the Bridge Authority monitoring wind speeds at various points along the structure.

A wind advisory was enacted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Mt. Pleasant from 2:04 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, citing a west-southwest wind blowing at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, according to Accuwather.com.

The advisory also included other areas of mid-Michigan and warned of gusty winds blowing around unsecured objects, blowing down tree limbs and causing power outages.

The Detroit area did not have the same advisory, however, despite experiencing similar windy conditions; although, the National Weather service did post a Hazardous Weather Outlook, citing choppy conditions on portions of Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Lake St Clair.

“A gale warning is in effect for all Lake Huron through this evening. Small craft advisories will also remain in effect for the MI waters of Erie and St Clair. Please refer to the latest marine forecasts for details,” the…