UPDATE: Power outages, storm damage cleanup continues in western UP

GOGEBIC COUNTY, Mich. (WLUC) - UPDATE at 4:45 p.m. central time Wednesday:

As of this evening, We Energies is reporting about 2,00 Upper Michigan and northern Wisconsin customers are without power. The provider estimates full restoration by tomorrow.

Xcel Energy says roughly 300 customers are without power in Gogebic and Ontonagon counties.

According to Gogebic County Emergency Management, WE Energy crews are out working around the clock, so please be patient. If you are without power in the Watersmeet area, the town hall community center is open from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.

If shelter or power is needed after hours, contact Watersmeet Supervisor Mike Rogers at 906-364-3136.

Severe weather is predicted in the area Wednesday night as well, so Gogebic County Emergency Management is reminding residents to be prepared.

If you have storm damage photos or videos, please send them through the TV6 News App, Weather App or online.

UPDATE at 8:00 a.m. central time Wednesday:

WE Energies is estimating full power restoration for its Vilas office which covers Gogebic, Iron, and Dickinson counties by Thursday.

If shelter or power is needed after hours, contact Watersmeet Supervisor Mike Rogers at 906-364-3136. Click here for the current outage map from We Energies.

Click here for the current outage map from Xcel Energy.

It’s been a long 20 ish hours … Marenisco is still without power, the town has come together in true Marenisco fashion...
Posted by Marenisco Township Volunteer Fire Department on Tuesday, July 27, 2021

UPDATE: 12:03 p.m. central time : There are power outages and extensive storm damage within Gogebic County after severe thunderstorms Monday night into Tuesday morning.

According to Ironwood Public Safety Department, it will be hours, if not days, until power is restored and damage is cleaned up. Ironwood Public Safety says residents within the area must remain at home, and let officials work on clean-up efforts.

Power lines and trees are down and across roadways within Gogebic County, especially in Marenisco. Gogebic County Emergency Management asks people to please stay off of the roadways, if possible, until the debris is cleaned up and the power lines are repaired.

The Michigan State Police Wakefield Post says crews are cleaning up the damage from last night’s storm and energy companies work to restore power on Tuesday. Xcel Energy says they are working in Michigan and Wisconsin to restore power quickly.

The main street of Marenisco is closed to through traffic and detours are set up to go around. If you are traveling through Marenisco, they ask you to please follow the detour, as they are working to clear debris from the roadways as fast as they can.

Any Marenisco residents cleaning debris from the storm can leave their debris on the side of the road and it will be picked up. Photos from the MSP can be seen below. Some videos from the Gogebic Range Trial Authority are also embedded below. If you have storm damage photos or videos, please send them through the TV6 News App, Weather App or online.

The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) is also advising western U.P. residents to pay attention to food temperatures, as refrigerators can only keep food at safe temperatures for about four hours, if unopened. A full freezer will hold temperature for about 48 hours if full (24 hours if half full), WUPHD says.

The health department says private water wells used by residents and businesses for drinking water may need to be tested for coliform bacteria or disinfected if system pressure was lost during the power outage.

Any restaurants and food retailers without power and water must close, to follow health department guidelines. More information can be found on the WUPHD website.

WUPHD also reminded the public about safe generator use.

“If utilizing a generator please be aware of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning,” WUPHD said. “Generators should not be used indoors, in garages, or near enclosed space. Ensure the generator is not operated directly below windows as exhaust and carbon monoxide can build up inside the home. Carbon monoxide is deadly.”

TV6 will continue to update you as we get more information.