Multiple police and fire departments across Metro Detroit are urging residents to use extreme caution following wind gusts that roll through packing gusts up to 40mph that have left downed power lines, disabled traffic signals and intermittent 911 and non-emergency phone outages across several communities.
Officials with the Sterling Heights Fire Department warned residents that high winds have caused debris and live power lines to fall throughout neighborhoods, creating dangerous conditions for both drivers and pedestrians.
Fire officials stressed that downed power lines should never be touched or approached. Residents are urged to keep children and pets away from any fallen wires and to immediately report them to local authorities. In Sterling Heights, residents were directed to contact the non-emergency police line at 586-446-2800 for downed line reports, while calling 911 for any medical emergencies.
Authorities in Warren also warned that multiple traffic signals were knocked out at major intersections due to weather-related power disruptions. Drivers were told to slow down, treat non-functioning traffic lights as four-way stops, and watch closely for police officers directing traffic.
The Royal Oak Police Department confirmed similar issues in their jurisdiction, including temporary disruptions to non-emergency phone lines. While the department announced shortly before 1:00 p.m. that normal operations had resumed, officials emphasized that 911 remained fully operational throughout the incident.
Royal Oak police advised residents that if non-emergency calls could not get through, alternate phone numbers were provided to reach the communications center until service stabilized.
The power outages tied to the high winds remain widespread. As of 1:15 p.m. EST, more than 22,000 DTE customers across the Metro Detroit area were reported without electricity, according to outage tracking data from DTE Energy. Restoration times vary by location, and crews continue working to assess damage and restore service.
Public safety officials across the region are reminding residents that downed power lines may still be energized even if surrounding homes appear dark. Anyone encountering fallen wires, damaged utility poles, or malfunctioning traffic signals is urged to avoid the area and report the hazard immediately.
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- NMD Staff
Staff@NewMediaDetroit.com