HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazard statement for the following Lakeshore counties: Ottawa, Allegan, Muskegon, Mason, Oceana and Van Buren, in effect through Tuesday afternoon.
Waves are expected to hit 4 to 8 feet as winds will be blowing 15 to 25 mph.
Swimming and walking on piers could prove deadly. During a similar alert period Friday, a man died after being swept off a pier in Frankfort, MI.
Storms that started Sunday evening and continued overnight have knocked out power for 61,000 Consumers Energy customers, according to compan spokesman Roger Morgenstern.
Frequent lightning and winds in excess of 50 mph brought down trees and electric wires across primarily the middle portion of the state, he said.. Intermittent storms are Monday and Tuesday.
Initial restoration work and damage assessment is underway. Some of the hardest hit areas may not be restored until midday Tuesday. Additional storms may result in later restoration times.
“Our workforce was in place and prepared ahead of the first wave of these storms, and are now responding around the clock with all hands on deck working to restore our customers’ power,” said Guy Packard, Consumers Energy’s vice president of electric operations. “With several waves of storms expected through Tuesday, we appreciate the patience of our customers while we work to quickly and safely restore their electric service.”
Consumers Energy urges the public to keep these safety tips in mind:
- · Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines and to call 911 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050.
- · Be alert to crews working along roads. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they safely can go past workers on roadsides.
- · Operating a generator may produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas. Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement or near any air intakes, and never fuel a generator when it is running.
