Extreme weather around Ann Arbor: How are you coping with storms, power outages, record temps?
Extreme weather is at the center of the July 4 holiday week in Washtenaw County, where a wave of storms sparked power outages following record-high temperatures.
Storm clouds over Ann Arbor on Thursday.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
So far, about 15,000 DTE Energy customers in the county were without power as of 1:30 p.m. Thursday, according to DTE spokesman Len Singer. He says power is expected to return to normal by late Saturday. Read more about the outages.
At the same time, a heat wave is resulting is a heat warning for Washtenaw County. The warning - issued by the National Weather Service - will be in effect until 9 p.m. Friday. Read more about the heat warning.
So far, AnnArbor.com is finding several examples of how the area is impacted:
- The PTO Thrift Store on South Industrial closed for the day, following the power outage that affected that nonprofit store.
- Generators may be in short supply - we're hearing that some people are coping with the duration of the power outage by purchasing devices that will supply temporary power sources.
- Huron Valley Ambulance transported 10 individuals to area hospitals due to heat-related illnesses Wednesday, including heat stroke and heat exhaustion, said HVA officials.
- Heavy rains fell during the weekly Sonic Lunch concert in downtown Ann Arbor - but the show continued. See video.
- Fallen trees were spotted across the area, including one that blocked a lane on I-94. See photo on Twitter.
- The power outage knocked down the broadcast transmission from the 107.1 radio tower, station officials said.
- Some residents in Chelsea are reporting that their power has been restored.
How are you coping with the heat? Are you without power? Have you been affected by the storms in other ways? Share your experiences with other AnnArbor.com readers by commenting below.
Comments
Pablo
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 5:51 p.m.
Firs of all...having had power outage at a previous time, we've been blessed this time, and are thankful for it. (So sorry that others have not had same results, but wish them quickly returned power.) We've had A/C on one day, being blessed (there's that word, again) with mature shade trees. As retirees...we go outside somewhat early at 6:30 or so and do outside gardening, etc. till about noon...then come inside and "hide out." We open all windows til about 9:00 a.m., then close up the house. Sure makes a difference.
northside
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 1:56 p.m.
I'm coping by reading "The Idiot's Guide to Denying Global Warming."
jns131
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 4:10 p.m.
When done with that book? I have the end of the world book the Mayan way to loan.
dexterreader
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 1:38 p.m.
Counting my blessings that my power was only out for 2 hours on Thursday (thank you DTE)!! Still, had a chance to try out the new generator, purchased after the March 15 tornado. I figured if we were having heat and tornadoes in mid-March, what was summer going to bring?? Glad I planned ahead because when you live in the country ..... no power means no water also ..... not a fun prospect.
Wolf's Bane
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 11:35 a.m.
They keep our office at sub-zero so I have this great sauna experience; I freeze my duckus for 8.5 hours and then I sweat like a monkey and get home where the temp is reasonable.
Rod Johnson
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 1:17 p.m.
"Duckus"? Is that like a duck tuchus?
Rebecca
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 3:53 a.m.
My husband is on a ventilator (life support) in our home. Thank goodness we have a back up generator, but I worry about it failing and not having a backup for that. My heart goes out to everyone who is in this heat, tired and frustrated.
breadman
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 1:43 a.m.
Just hop on to a AATA bus those are full of a/c take you were ever you may want too go.
jns131
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 4:09 p.m.
They only allow I believe no more then 2 transfers before you have to pay again. Get a bus card and start with #1 and tour the city.
David Cahill
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 11:30 p.m.
We've been lucky so far on Broadway, with no outages. The Plymouth Road area just north of us was out for a while, though. Also, the DTE outage map hangs when you click on an outage area for more information. It blinks "Loading" at me, but that's all.
JRW
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 10:07 p.m.
Better get ready for these kinds of heatwaves all summer, folks. From the website: Our Amazing Planet: "Unfortunately, the heat doesn't look likely to dissipate soon, with the National Weather Service expecting warmer-than-usual temperatures to continue for the remainder of the summer across much of the country."
Ann English
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 10:06 p.m.
I got the impression that Kroger must have been selling a lot of ice in big bags because of the power outages and high heat. I was just about to leave when they noisily replenished their supply of ice.
Bertha Venation
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 4:47 p.m.
Ya.. If you want poor service and attitude and high prices, hit Kroger anytime. I heard that Washtenaw Dairy just replenished their dry ice supply this morning if anyone needs some.
Bill Sloan
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 9:49 p.m.
For several thousand years Native Americans lived right here, in this weather year around, with none of our weather disguising amenities. What a bunch of wimps we are.
jns131
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 4:08 p.m.
Bill? Could not agree more. Sit under a nice shade tree, enjoy the breeze and read a good book or weave a good blanket.
Wolf's Bane
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 11:43 a.m.
Not true. When they were here it was a lot cooler. Trust me.
Dog Guy
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 1:06 a.m.
I spent a 113degree Friendship, IN, afternoon in a double-walled tipi with a tiny central fire for convection. The dew barrier was raised a bit more than an inch to draw a sheet of air from the surrounding soil and grass, chilling me to the bone. Bill Sloan to the contrary, the first people around here did not eschew weather-disguising amenities.
JRW
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 10:12 p.m.
The early Native Americans also didn't live with the millions of square miles of asphalt and concrete in a modern industrialized society that holds and reflect the heat; they had far denser forests, many more trees; and they could migrate to areas that provided natural cooling. Try living today in a glass, steel and concrete high rise in a large city without air conditioning. What do you consider "weather disguising amenities?"
Ann English
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 9:38 p.m.
The Mallett's Creek Library was closed both times I went by to pick up a hold. But there were some men there mowing its grass. Some people came by and apparently didn't have any trouble returning material. According to the outage map, Mallett's Creek Library is at the northern tip of a red area, which probably means the MOST DTE customers in one area without power. But Trader Joe's didn't lose power, and it's just to the northeast of the library. There are an awful lot of twigs on the streets, but I didn't encounter any big branches to go around, as I traveled Eisenhower, Packard, Springbrook, Sharon, Baylis, Colony, Manchester, Medford and Needham. Twigs scattered on all those streets. The Dropoff Center stayed open, although a downpour slowed down payment for admittance; a receipt could get wet as it was handed over, and so could money. Both the man in the admittance booth and we motorists waited for downpours to lessen so that our money, going in and out of the booth, didn't get too wet. The vehicle immediately ahead of me got out of line, turned around, and left. But the Dropoff barn was darker than usual. The lights were off inside, but we all could see fine what we were doing with our recyclables.
xmo
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 9:08 p.m.
I just love cooking on the grill outdoors, I know that I am the one responsible for creating the "Green House Gases" that are causing the Heat Wave but I cann't help it! I love my grilled Meat! Sorry to all of you without power but just think, You are saving the planet! maybe by pretending that you are protesting "Man Made Climate" you will feel that it is all worth it! Enjoy!
ummsw
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.
I'm very grateful to have both power and cable...one of the few in my neighborhood.
Paula Gardner
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
I haven't turned my air conditioning on at home yet - and I'm kind of amazed by that. But what makes that possible is power for the ceiling fans and the ability to get ice (and ice cream) from the freezer. I'm hoping DTE crews are able to beat the Saturday estimate.
Bertha Venation
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 4:41 p.m.
You're right Paula. Had ceiling fans in my last place. Wish I had them here.
Bertha Venation
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 8:01 p.m.
Dealing with heat is no problem if there's power. Since my power is supposed to be out until Friday night, I'll just be kind of lethargic, I guess (but what else is new). I'm in A/C at work now, so it's not so bad, but my pets are at home in that hot house. I made sure there is plenty of water, and I hope they have enough sense to go to the basement where it's cooler. I still gotta figure out how to get into that darned garage! :)
Bertha Venation
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 4:40 p.m.
@jns Your ideas sound a lot better than mine! :)
jns131
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 4:06 p.m.
We never had a/c in the house. Just run the fans and sit in the basement watching movies, old and new. Or if there is nice breeze sit outside on the porch swing reading a good book. Ypsi is having their music fest tonight. Can't wait.
MasterP
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 7:55 p.m.
listening to the Grateful Dead on my smartphone. I will get by.
Bertha Venation
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 8:02 p.m.
far out, man! :D
Katrease Stafford
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 7:53 p.m.
I spoke with Manager Paul Sorenson of the Ace Hardware located at 3352 Washtenaw Avenue. Sorenson said his store has been selling a number of supplies due to the power outages--including fans, batteries and flashlights. "I just set aside two for an office that I just had a call from," Sorenson said. "They took the two of the four battery operated fans I had." The manager of the ACE Hardware located at 2105 W. Stadium said his store has been fielding a lot of inquiries for generators and he's seen a spike in business. He said the spike isn't just from the storms but because of the extreme temperatures as well.
jns131
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 4:04 p.m.
Fans? With no power? Interesting.
harry
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 7:58 p.m.
Very strange but interesting.
Madeleine Borthwick
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 7:47 p.m.
I cope with the heat by 1)doing my running-around in the early part of the day, 2)running the AC, and 3)those red-white-and-blue popsicles from Aldi's!
harry
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 7:58 p.m.
Have you considered doing your running around later in the day. After 6 pm can be quite pleasant.
harry
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 7:40 p.m.
Well lets see.... I get up and go to work in the morning. 8.5 hours later I come home. I eat dinner. Play with the kids. Watch a little TV and then go to bed.
Epengar
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.
If you have a smartphone or other mobile device that can access web pages, you can report outages to DTE Energy, and get updates on repairs, here: mobile.dteenergy.com If you have an Android phone or iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch, they offer a free app that lets you report and check status, and also view their map of outages: http://www.dteenergy.com/residentialCustomers/problemsSafety/outageCenter/mobile.html You can also view their outage map from any computer connected to the web: http://dteenergy.com/map/outage.html
Bob Needham
Thu, Jul 5, 2012 : 7:16 p.m.
Top of the Park events are expected to go on as scheduled tonight -- here's a rundown of what's in store: http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/tonight-at-top-of-the-park-thursday-july-5/