Community Corner

UPDATE: DTE Official Explains 'Restore Then Repair' Process

Update, 12:30 p.m.: DTE Energy's power outage map shows 1,855 Royal Oak customers without power in the 48073 zip code - down from 10,499 Saturday.


Ryan Smith, director of substation operations for DTE, explains the energy provider works to restore first, then repair.

"We look for the greatest opportunities to restore as many customers as possible," Smith said. "Rather than repair one and two and three customers at a time, we try to get a huge number of customers restored at once."

This morning, 40,000 DTE customers were still without power in Michigan after Friday's stormy weather.

Smith said dedicated tree trim crews are out working to create a safe environment by trimming off or cutting back tree limbs before workers arrive to repair downed power lines.

"The beginning of the restoration process happens quickly," Smith said. The repairs at the end take much longer.


The estimate for restoration for the 1,855 remaining customers is tonight by 11:30 p.m.

Sunday, 4:30 a.m.:
Power is coming back for many Royal Oak residents who have been without electricity since Friday's storm. However, according to DTE's power outage map, a large area from Woodward to Campbell between 12 Mile and 13 Mile roads remains without power.

The estimate for restoration for the 5,587 remaining customers is tonight by 11:30 p.m.

>>Visit DTE's website for tips on how to stay safe during a power outage.

Saturday, 8 a.m.:
DTE Energy's power outage map shows another 850 Royal Oak customers lost power overnight bringing the total number of households waking up without power Saturday morning to 10,499.


In the 48067 zip code area on the city's south side, 1,695 are without power in an area that stretches from 11 Mile to 12 Mile between Campbell Road and Interstate I-75. DTE expects power to be restored by 11:30 p.m. tonight.


In the hard hit north end of the city, 8,804 customers throughout the 48073 zip code are without air conditioning and lights today in an area between 12 Mile and 14 Mile roads from Greenfield to Campbell roads. DTE anticipates power will be restored before midnight tonight, according to the outage map.

Friday, 8:40 p.m.:
Neighbors in the 1000 block of Woodlawn gathered in front of their ranch-style homes accessing the damage of a quick but severe storm that whipped through Royal Oak and knocked out power at approximately 6:30 p.m. today.

More than 9,600 Royal Oak customers are without power, according to DTE's power outage map.

Approximately 75,000 customers are without power system wide, reports Randi Berris, a senior media relations specialist at DTE Energy.

"Ponitac was hit pretty hard," Berris said. "And we are showing outages in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties." The thumb area of Michigan was also hit with outages, she said.

On Woodlawn, a small section of the street is flooded, limbs are down and so is a live power line.

"You can hear the line zapping and you can smell it," said John Dick. Puffs of smoke were visible in three different places, he said.

John Gearhart and his son Cody were sitting in the kitchen when they heard a crack.

"We turned around we saw two branches come down," Gearhart said. "It was unbelievable."

Gearhart joked he was upset a branch landed on beautiful white Silver Queen corn he is growing in a garden near his garage.

"It was ready for roasting," he said. "Maybe it's roasting now."

Residents were still waiting for DTE and the Royal Oak Fire Department to arrive at 8:40 p.m.

Stay with Patch as we cover this developing story.


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