Power Outage in Iron Mountain, MI

Storm total observer and spotter snowfall reports from late on March 31st to late morning of April 1st included 17 inches at Sagola and 14 to 17 inches from Iron Mountain to Norway. The heavy snow combined with strong northeast winds gusting as high as 40 mph caused power outages across portions of Dickinson County.

The observer just northeast of Iron Mountain measured six inches of wet snow in approximately six hours. The observer in Norway measured 4.4 inches of snow and reported that the power was knocked out for an hour. There were Facebook reports of an estimated eight inches of snow in Sagola and five inches of snow in Kingsford over the same time period. Some freezing rain fell for several hours before the onset of the snow. Schools were closed throughout Dickinson County on the 15th due to impacts from the heavy snow.

Wet snowfall totals over northern Dickinson County were estimated to be 3 to 6 inches during the event with locally higher amounts near 8 inches. The wet snow combined with north winds gusting to 40 to 45 mph at times caused some tree damage and sporadic power outages.

Widespread freezing rain of 0.25 to .40 inches caused treacherous and icy road conditions, tree damage and widespread power outages during the period. Schools were cancelled on the 23rd due to the impacts from the freezing rain.

WE Energies outage map showed approximately 1000 customers without power in northern Dickinson County on the afternoon of the 11th due to strong winds.

Significant winds and power outages were reported five miles southwest of Randville. Pictures posted online showed plant and some tree damage. Time of the report was estimated from radar.

The observer just northeast of Iron Mountain reported multiple trees down from approximately 14 to 16 inches in diameter. Spotter estimated winds at 70 mph. The power was knocked out.

The spotter in Norway observed gusty northwest winds which toppled a large white pine around 90 feet in length. The chest-high diameter of the tree trunk was measured at 29 inches. The tree snapped at about 15 feet above the ground. The toppled tree landed on a power line and broke the power pole. Power to the area was interrupted for approximately three hours as crews repaired the power line and pole.

There was an estimated six inches of wet, heavy snow that fell in 12 hours over northern portions of Dickinson County. The combination of the dense snow and northerly winds gusting to 40 to 45 mph at times caused damage to trees and power lines. There was an estimate that nearly 30 percent of the residences in the county lost power during the storm. Many businesses were closed on the 27th due to the storm.

One quarter to one half inch of ice accumulation occurred across Dickinson County on the morning of the 4th. The ice caused tree damage and power outages across the county which impacted hundreds of Wisconsin Electric customers from Iron Mountain to Ralph. Numerous accidents were also reported by law enforcement. Schools throughout the county were closed on the 4th due to the impacts from the ice accumulation.

The 911 Call Center reported power lines down in Iron Mountain from thunderstorm winds. Time of the report was estimated from radar.

A delayed report via social media indicated a tree down across a power line near Iron Mountain from thunderstorm winds.

The observer from Norway reported trees and power lines down from three miles to six miles north of Ralph. The time of the report was estimated from radar.

There was a delayed report of multiple trees and power lines down closing roads in the Iron Mountain area. Power was out across the area and phone lines were down as well. Ditches were running full from heavy rainfall.

Strong winds peaking near 50 mph at times during the period caused power outages to around 1000 customers in Iron Mountain as reported by WE Energies.

There was a delayed report via social media of an estimated 8-inch diameter tree blown over onto power lines on Peavy Falls Road.

The Dickinson County Sheriff reported multiple large trees and power lines down in the Iron Mountain and Breitung Township areas. Some trees were blocking roads. The time of the report was estimated from radar.

The storm survey indicated a four-mile path of straight line wind damage across the Sawyer and Edey Lake area east of Channing. There was evidence of gustnadoes along the main straight line wind core. Straight-line wind speeds were estimated at 60-70 mph with pockets of near 90 mph winds within the gustnado damage. Numerous large trees were uprooted with smaller trees snapped off from the strong winds. Within the area of strongest wind damage several of the large trees fell on houses and vehicles and knocked down power poles and power lines. The 911 call center also reported that numerous witnesses saw a waterspout on Sawyer Lake which moved onshore towards Woodlawn Lane.

An estimated six inches of snow fell in less than 12 hours in Iron Mountain. The combination of wet snow and north wind gusts to 30 mph caused numerous minor accidents and power outages across the area.

The Dickinson County Sheriff reported numerous trees down on power lines throughout the county. Power was out at multiple locations...including the city of Norway. Power outages continued into the evening of the 27th at many locations. A tree also fell on a house in the 600 block of Fairbanks Street.

Numerous trees and power lines were reported down. Damage was also reported to homes and cars from downed trees. Street flooding also occurred.

Strong winds toppled a tree near the corner of Breitung Avenue and Roosevelt Street in Breitung Township east of Kingsford. The tree fell on nearby power lines and caught on fire. Traffic was detoured for a short period of time as the Breitung Township Fire Department and Wisconsin Energies personnel responded to the incident and cut the tree down.

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across the Iron Mountain area.