MICHIGAN, USA — Consumers Energy contractors were hard at work in Bedford Township Tuesday, repairing a downed telephone pole and clearing power lines out of the roadways after a summer storm took out power for an estimated 10,000 people Monday night.
According to Consumers Energy representative Brian Wheeler, that number was down to roughly 2,000 by Tuesday afternoon. That included people like 10-year-old Tommy Crabtree and his great aunt Liz Blank, who came out from their homes to watch the big machinery at work.
"A branch broke off and we lost power," Tommy said.
Like many on Sterns Road, Tommy's family was using a generator to keep their house cold and the fridge running, but not everyone on Sterns Road has the luxury.
"No nothing, no generator, no pool to even keep cool," Michelle Wingate, who lives across the street from Tommy's neighborhood said.
With no power and temperatures soaring near 100 degrees, she and her grandkids had to come with up their own creative solution to keep cool and entertained, running back and forth in front of a spraying garden hose.
"They're off the electronics and that's a blessing," Wingate said as she watched them play.
But you don't need to run through a hose to beat the heat. Bedford Township Fire Chief Bob Vanklingeren said the township is offering some places to chill out.
"We do have a few cooling areas in Bedford Township. One is our library here in Bedford and the other is BridgePoint Church up on Lewis Avenue," Vanklingeren said.
But there is positive news. Consumer's Energy said power should be restored by 11 p.m.
"We do appreciate people's patience," Wheeler said. "Some people have been without power since last night and we know that can feel like a long time on a hot summer day."