Winter storm battering area

High winds Monday morning knocked down the awning over Kelbel Pharmacy on Main St. and severely damaged the business sign above it. (Harbor Light photo/Mark Flemming)

Monday, Dec. 15: A major winter storm blew through the area today. Schools were closed throughout Northern Michigan Monday. The Mackinac Bridge was closed to high profile traffic due to high winds. A dramatic temperature change from Sunday to Monday resulted in melting snow turning to ice. Rain also fell Sunday prior to the temperature drop.
 

A news release from Great Lakes Energy noted damaging winds have left an estimated 2,147 members without power this morning throughout the cooperative’s 26 county service area. Power was reported out in the area surrounding the intersection of M-119 and US-31, including the traffic signal at that major intersection. That power had been restored by early afternoon.

Travel was extremely hazardous. Complete white-out conditions were observed this morning at the 'Airport Corner,' where M-119 and West Conway intersect, near the Harbor Springs Airport.
   

Great Lakes Energy reported that the greatest damage to power lines from high winds and falling limbs and trees is in the electric cooperative’s northern area that includes parts of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Kalkaska and Otsego counties where over 1,700 members are without electricity. The company expected to restore power to most of its customers this evening.

Current outage information by counties and townships that is updated every 15 minutes can be viewed on the Great Lakes Energy website, www.gtlakes.com, by clicking on Storm Central.
   

People are reminded to stay away from downed power lines for their safety and protection.
 

Great Lakes Energy members without power are asked to call the electric cooperative’s automated, toll-free outage number:  1-800-678-0411.
 

This is part of the December 10, 2008 online edition of Harbor Light Newspaper.

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