Consumers Energy has around 900 crews engaged in the final restoration efforts for customers impacted by severe ice and thunderstorms that pummeled massive swaths of the northern and southern portions of the state in the past week.

In addition to the hundreds of thousands who lost power over the weekend due to the first series of storms — which brought historic ice accumulation in the north and nine confirmed tornadoes in the south — 47,000 additional customers lost power on Wednesday afternoon and evening due to high winds from another storm system crossing the state. Of the around 350,000 customers impacted by the storm events, nearly 90 percent have already been restored.

“This has been one of the most significant storm events in our company’s history, yet just as significant has been the response from our lineworkers,” said Chris Fultz, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge of restoration. “Throughout this restoration effort we have continually added more crews to our system, and have an historic, dedicated team committed to working around the clock until every last customer has the lights back on.”

To thank customers for their understanding, Consumers Energy is working with local first responders and law enforcement in Crawford, Otsego, Oscoda and Alcona counties to provide free water throughout the day today to those impacted by the storms.