A massive, slow-moving storm that hit the nation's midsection dropped several inches of wet, sloppy snow across southeast Michigan, creating slippery driving conditions and forcing hundreds of schools to close.
Utilities in Michigan say roughly 54,000 homes and businesses are without electrical service. Detroit-based DTE Energy Co. says about 40,000 of its customers are without power Wednesday morning after the storm knocked down power lines and tree branches.
DTE says Washtenaw County was the hardest hit, with about 26,000 outages reported. About 6,000 DTE customers lost power in Oakland County.
Over 650 schools closed their doors Wednesday, leaving thousands of
students to enjoy a snow days. Sydney Fournier of Madison Heights says
she found out about her day off while using her iPad. Click the video player to hear more from Fournier.
Weather Authority Ben Bailey says we can expect periods of dry weather throughout the day mixed with scattered show showers. High temperatures should reach 36 degrees.
Sheriff Bob Bezotte says the slushy roads caused 18 traffic accidents in Livingston County during the overnight hours. He says no serious injuries were reported.
The National Weather Service says 6 inches of snow fell in the Grand Haven and Muskegon areas, while 5 inches fell between Lansing and Jackson. Four to 5 inches fell in Grand Rapids. Four inches fell in Saginaw.
The storm was so big -- making travel perilous Tuesday from the Oklahoma Panhandle to the Great Lakes -- that snowfall was expected to linger in Chicago and other parts of the Midwest on Wednesday, with additional accumulations of up to 1 1/2 inches, said Matt Friedlein, a meteorologist in the National Weather Service's northern Illinois office. Chicago received 2-4 inches of snow Tuesday, but some northern suburbs got up to 7 1/2 inches, Friedlein said.
Other parts of the Midwest got far more, with more than 15 inches in parts of Oklahoma, up to a foot in Kansas and up to 13 1/2 inches in Missouri. In Iowa, where the storm could drop more than a foot before it was over, officials warned that travel would be hazardous Tuesday night as temperatures fell and ice formed on snowy roads.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:58 AM EDT2013-05-17 12:58:06 GMT
Gallery on the Boulevard is now open to the public. The restored 1918 residence, located in the Historic District of Pontiac's West End, is now home to wonderful works of art.
Gallery on the Boulevard is now open to the public. The restored 1918 residence, located in the Historic District of Pontiac's West End, is now home to wonderful works of art.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-15 17:36:38 GMT
A pair of osprey that made a nest on a power pole in Berlin Township, near the Rockwood Landfill will be getting a new home thanks to crews from DTE Energy.
A pair of osprey that made a nest on a power pole in Berlin Township, near the Rockwood Landfill will be getting a new home thanks to crews from DTE Energy.
Monday, May 13 2013 11:43 AM EDT2013-05-13 15:43:11 GMT
Hundreds of firefighters lined the streets in front of the Church of the Divine Child in Dearborn to bid farewell to 29-year-old Brian Woehlke, a Wayne-Westland firefighter killed last week in the line of duty.
Hundreds of firefighters lined the streets in front of the Church of the Divine Child in Dearborn to bid farewell to 29-year-old Brian Woehlke, a Wayne-Westland firefighter who was killed while crews battled a blaze at a Westland strip mall last week.
Monday, May 13 2013 10:13 AM EDT2013-05-13 14:13:39 GMT
Family and friends are gathering Monday to remember the life of Brian Woehlke, the 29-year-old firefighter who was killed last week while crews battled a blaze at a Westland strip mall.
Family and friends are gathering Monday to remember the life of Brian Woehlke, the 29-year-old firefighter who was killed last week while crews battled a blaze at a Westland strip mall.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 17:52:35 GMT
Authorities have identified a 20-year-old man they've arrested in the firebombing of the suburban Detroit home of an heir to the Art Van Furniture business.
Authorities have identified a 20-year-old man they've arrested in the firebombing of the suburban Detroit home of an heir to the Art Van Furniture business.
Let It Rip Weekend: Doggy Insurance, Pit Bull Bans & $15 Minimum Wage
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:33 AM EDT2013-05-19 14:33:58 GMT
This time we're talking about a new requirement in Royal Oak that has some dog owners taking out $1 million insurance policies on their pooches. Plus, Waterford Township is considering repealing their
Should owners of dangerous dogs have to take out $1 million insurance policies? Are pit bull bans a good idea? Plus, should the minimum wage be raised to $15 an hour?
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:01 AM EDT2013-05-19 04:01:16 GMT
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:19:58 GMT
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
