Storms pounded metro Detroit and southeast Michigan on Thursday, Sept. 3, a day after storms hit the night before, leaving thousands without power in the region.
More than 250,000 DTE Energy and Consumers Energy customers were without power as of 8:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4.
The National Weather Service said Thursday that a possible tornado hit the east side of Detroit, and meteorologists are investigating Friday to determine if it was a tornado or straight-line winds.
On Thursday evening, traffic lights at about 80 intersections in Detroit were without power and firefighters were checking on people in neighborhoods.
Follow live updates here from the Detroit Free Press.
Hundreds of thousands without power
09:03 AM ET, September 4 2026, Tanya Wildt and Sarah MooreMore than 250,000 DTE Energy and Consumers Energy customers were without power
Friday morning after storms rolled through the region the day before.
DTE reported 246,332 customers without power shortly as of 8:45 a.m. Friday, while Consumers Energy reported 17,033 affected customers.
At a Friday morning news conference, a DTE spokesperson said the utility had restored power to 75,000 customers overnight and hoped to restore service to 65% of affected customers by the end of Friday, 90% by the end of Saturday and all customers by the end of Sunday.
Take care when using generator
09:03 AM ET, September 4 2026, Jalen WilliamsPowering up a generator after a storm can be a lifeline, allowing people to run a few lights or even a refrigerator to preserve food, but be careful: There were three deaths in Wayne County earlier this year after running generators apparently emitted carbon monoxide. Follow these guidelines for safe use of a generator as the power outages continue.
How to handle food during a power outage
09:02 AM ET, September 4 2026, Susan SelaskyAs metro Detroit communities struggle with power outages after hit the area on Thursday, Sept. 3, refrigerators are not running and food is beginning to spoil. But there are ways to keep food safe and perhaps salvage what you have.
Here’s what you need to do to keep food safe and know when and what has to be tossed out, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Cleanup begins after storms, possible tornado hit metro Detroit
