Ice Storm: What to Expect and How to Prepare
(Jan. 10, 2020)
Oakland County, MI- Freezing rain producing ice accumulations around a half to three quarters of an inch are expected Satruday; sleet and snow may mix in at times, mainly north of I-69, but just light accumulations if at all. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph, which may further increase later Sunday morning.
* WHERE…Huron, Saginaw, Tuscola, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston and Oakland Counties.
* WHEN…From 4 AM Saturday to 7 AM EST Sunday.
* IMPACTS…Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice and strong winds. Travel could become nearly impossible.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Temperatures are expected to fall below freezing early Saturday morning. There remains uncertainty where the line of freezing temperatures and therefore freezing rain will advance through the day Saturday, which will dictate which areas see the highest ice accumulations. Currently the freezing line looks to stall across central Livingston and Oakland Counties resulting in a large gradient of ice accumulation from north to south across those counties.
The Department of Homeland Security recommends the following safety tips:
Stay off roads.
Stay indoors and dress warmly.
Prepare for power outages.
Use generators outside only and away from windows.
Listen for emergency information and alerts.
Look for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
Check on neighbors.
DTE Energy also recommends the following:
Stay at least 20 feet away from all power lines and anything they’re in contact with and consider them live. They are extremely dangerous. Treat every downed power line as if it was energized. Customers should also heed the warning of yellow caution tape, which indicates there is a downed power line in the area. DO NOT CROSS YELLOW CAUTION TAPE.
Never use a portable generator inside a home or business. It emits carbon monoxide, which can be deadly. Keep it outside, away from windows and doors, so the fumes won’t come in.
Report a power outage or downed wire to DTE immediately through the mobile app, website or 800-477-4747.