Michigan Storm Update: 'Hurricane'-Like Winds Cause Millions To Lose Power

More than 730,000 people in Michigan still lacked power Thursday night after a historic storm swept through the state. Wednesday’s windstorm brought gusts of up to 60 mph, knocking power out for more than 1 million residents at its peak.

“Every corner of the state was affected by this storm,” said Gov. Rick Snyder in a press conference Thursday. “At one point, approximately one-third of Michigan’s residents were affected by the power outage.”

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The storm brought the worst winds in recent memory, with “near hurricane force winds” pounding the area the state for more than 12 hours, according to local energy officials. DTE Energy, which supplies power for much of Michigan, said at least 4,000 wires were downed as a result. The company sent out more than 3,500 workers and had to call in additional employees from Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania and Tennessee to assist, according to the Detroit News.

“We expect to have power restored to 90 percent of our customers by Sunday evening,” DTE Energy president and CEO Jerry Norcia said at the press conference. “Our number one priority is and remains ensuring the safety of the public, our employees and the communities we serve.”

DTE said they were also working furiously to get power back in a number of schools, where classes were canceled after the black-outs. Norcia said they would likely be up and running in time for school Monday.

The storm was a result of extremely warm air colliding with a giant swath of arctic air in the state, according to local weather officials. Some of the widespread damage was because a warmer than average winter made the ground softer, making it easier for trees to uproot and cause damage.

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Michigan State Police had not yet released data regarding injuries from the storm as of Friday. However, two people died Thursday when a tree came down from the storm, causing a car accident.

The state opened a number of venues and provided cots for residents without heat and power.

“We’re really concerned about people staying warm and safe, especially our most vulnerable populations,” said Snyder. “We need the residents to look out for one another. This is when Michiganders are at our best, when we have challenges like this.”