LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – As Mid-Michigan braces for a post-Christmas winter storm system, Consumers Energy and the Lansing Board of Water and Light are preparing for potential power outages from what could be a dangerous ice event.
Friday is a First Alert Weather Day due to the freezing rain and sleet that could make travel extremely difficult throughout the day.
Just half an inch of ice can put 500 pounds of weight on a power line — the weight of a baby grand piano — making ice storms particularly dangerous for the electrical grid, according to Consumers Energy.
Memories of 2013 ice storm drive preparation efforts
Michigan’s last major ice storm hit right before Christmas in 2013, knocking down tree branches and taking out power lines across Mid-Michigan. It took Consumers Energy and the Lansing Board of Water and Light nearly two weeks to restore power to some areas…