Power Outage in Escanaba, MI

A widespread estimated quarter inch of ice accumulation from freezing rain occurred across much of Delta County in the early morning of the 5th. The Garden Corners observer reported a frozen anemometer. Utility companies reported widespread power outages impacting several hundred customers with downed trees and power lines.

Storm total observer and spotter snowfall reports from late on March 31st to late morning of April 1st included 10 inches in Garden, 5-9 inches in the Escanaba-Gladstone area and 7-9 inches in the Rapid River area. The heavy snow combined with northeast winds gusting to 45 mph at times caused power outages across portions of Delta County. The precipitation started out as a mix of rain and freezing rain before changing over to all snow by around 4 am.

Strong northwest winds gusting to an estimated 40 mph caused sporadic power outages knocking out power to hundreds of customers in the Cornell area along the Escanaba River on the 18th.

Escanaba Public Safety Dispatch reported a damaged tree down on a power line near the Michigan DNR station in Escanaba.

Widespread freezing rain of 0.25 inches or more caused treacherous and icy road conditions, tree damage and widespread power outages during the period. Ice accumulation caused downed power lines on Highway M-183 just north of Garden resulting in a temporary closure of the road on the 23rd. Schools were cancelled on the 23rd due to the impacts from the freezing rain.

Snowfall reports over less than a 24-hour period included anywhere from 10 to 14 inches in the Escanaba-Gladstone area, near 11 inches at Bark River and 16 inches at Garden Corners. The heavy snowfall combined with northwest winds gusting over 30 mph caused widespread power outages throughout Delta County on the 11th.

The UPPCO map showed widespread power outages across the western half of Delta County due to strong thunderstorm winds. More than 2000 customers were without power, most concentrated in Escanaba. The time of the report was estimated from radar.

Local media reported 193 power outages in Delta County via UPPCO due to high winds and heavy rain.

There was a public report of two to three inches of wet heavy snow in less than five hours in Escanaba. Scattered power outages were reported due to the heavy snow.

There was a report from the 911 Call Center of power lines down in Brampton from thunderstorm winds. The time of the report was based on radar.

Tree reported down on a power line. Source of the report is the Delta County Dispatch.

There was a delayed report of several trees down from six to twelve inches in diameter five miles northeast of Perkins. Power is out with trees on power lines.

There were reports of downed trees and power lines around the Gladstone and Rapid River areas. Time of the report was estimated from radar.

Strong winds caused power outages from Cornell to Rapid River.

Escanaba Public Safety reported widespread trees and power lines downed in Delta County, including the towns of Escanaba, Gladstone and Rapid River.

A trailer weighing more than 300 pounds was moved 100 feet by the strong thunderstorm winds. Trees 36 inches in diameter were also snapped by the storm winds. Several outbuildings were damaged and power was knocked out. Nickel sized hail was also reported.

Several trees were reported down in the Escanaba and Gladstone area as tree branches fell across roads and power lines. Over 100 customers in rural Escanaba and Gladstone were without power into the evening of the 30th.

The Delta County Sheriff reported trees down and power outages throughout the Escanaba area. The storm closed Big Bay De Noc schools on the 27th.

Strong winds in excess of 40 mph at times downed power lines and knocked out elctricity to 96 customers in Escanaba. Near-blizzard conditions in snow and blowing snow also contributed to several accidents in Delta County.

Trees down across the city...amount and sizes unknown. Widespread power outages.

Six-inch diameter tree downed three miles north of Escanaba in the town of Wells. Power outages were also reported in Wells.

Numerous trees down on power lines on the Stonington Peninsula.

A low pressure area over northern Lake Michigan dropped heavy snow over portions of south central Upper Michigan on the evening of the 23rd and morning of the 24th. Reported 12-hour snow amounts included 8 inches at Powers in Menominee County and 8-10 inches in the Gladstone area of Delta County. Deepening low pressure over the eastern Great Lakes and eastern Ontario helped draw colder Canadian air across Lake Superior from the 24th through the 26th. As a result, heavy lake effect snows off Lake Superior occurred over portions of west and central Upper Michigan. Ironwood measured 10 inches of snow in 24 hours on the 4th and 5th while Newberry received 10 inches in 12 hours on the 5th. Blowing and drifting of snow on side roads forced the closure of Tahquamenon Area schools on the 6th.