A 100-plus car pile-up, including dozens of semi-trucks, closed both directions of traffic on Interstate 196 Monday morning between Hudsonville and Zeeland while snow and heavy winds rolled across West Michigan.
UPDATE: Both directions of I-196 re-opened at 6:45 p.m. Thursday
The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office said the multi-car pile-up on I-196 began approximately at 10:19 a.m. Jan. 19, near 64th Ave. in Zeeland Township. Deputies were dispatched after receiving multiple reports of numerous crashes and slide-offs in the area.
As of 2 p.m. Monday, all injured patients were transported to area hospitals via ambulance. There were 10 total persons injured with non-life threatening injuries and 25 motorists were transported to a reunification point at Hudsonville High School.
Sheriff’s Deputies worked with area ambulance and fire services to treat the wounded and transport them to area hospitals. The Michigan State Police and Zeeland Police Department also assisted deputies on the scene.
The highway was closed in both directions between the Hudsonville exit of 196 (62) and the Zeeland exit of 1-96 (55). Motorists were encouraged to avoid this stretch of 196 and avoid travel completely, unless necessary.
Buses from Hudsonville High School (HHS) and Max Transit were used to assist OCSO with transporting stranded motorists from the scene to Hudsonville High School.
Consumers Energy crews worked overnight to continue restoring power to customers following the late-December winter weather that swept across Michigan. The two waves of storms impacted nearly 230,000 customers and the lineworkers’ successful efforts have resulted in the lights back on for almost 90% of customers.
“We understand how frustrating it is to be without power and we thank customers for their patience as our crews continue working around the clock to get the power restored,” said Norm Kapala, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge for restoration. “Crews from six states and Canada joined with our Consumers Energy crews as we continue our restoration efforts.”
Consumers Energy has deployed nearly 630 crews to restore power today and is committed to an all-hands-on-deck response with a goal to restore power to all communities, including the hardest hit areas in Northwest and Mid-Michigan by end of the day tomorrow.
“The back-to-back winter weather felt across the state was damaging, but now that the winds have died down, crews are able to be out in the field in full force responding to outages,” Kapala said. “For anyone that needs to travel, we encourage you to please keep our co-workers and their safety top of mind.”
Consumers Energy urges the public to keep important safety tips in mind:
Be alert to crews working along roadsides. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they can go safely past.
Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines and report unguarded downed lines by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Consumers Energy reminds people that falsely calling in downed lines actually slows down the restoration process for everyone.
Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement, enclosed patio or near any air intakes. Doing so could cause a generator to produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas. Read more guidance on safe generator use here.
Consumers Energy will trim or remove trees interfering with electric restoration activities. Once safe to do so, clean-up of debris from tree trimming or removal during a storm emergency is the responsibility of individual property owners.
In some cases, the mast that holds the electric service wires to a home or business may have been damaged or torn away. Crews will reconnect the wires to a home, but only a licensed electrician can repair or replace a mast or a cable.
Consumers Energy crews will be working to restore power to customers today as high winds and snow continue a late-December surge of severe weather across Michigan. The energy provider is making it a priority to help customers in the region from Big Rapids to Midland where a blanket of ice already caused heavy damage Sunday.
“Michigan is facing a variety of weather challenges in the last few days, from ice to wind and snow. We are grateful for the resilience and strength of our customers, and we will work around the clock to get the lights back on for everyone we serve,” said Norm Kapala, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge for restoration.
Consumers Energy is deploying over 400 crews to restore power today and is committed to an all-hands-on-deck response to help communities across the state. Today’s forecast calls for wind gusts above 50 mph and snow, following rounds of ice that affected 90,000 customers Friday and Saturday, and again Sunday.
Consumers Energy will delay immediate restoration projections for part of the day today as it assesses the initial impact of winds that should continue until this evening. Customers can check the status of outages at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter. They can also sign up for outage alerts and restoration times sent to a phone, email or text message, Text ‘REG’ to 232273 or visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/alerts.
“We understand the frustration that comes with back-to-back storms,” Kapala said. “It’s still important for the public to remain focused on being safe, just as our lineworkers will do as they work around the clock to restore power safely and efficiently.”
Consumers Energy urges the public to keep important safety tips in mind:
Be alert to crews working along roadsides. Drivers should slow down or stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear so they can go safely past.
Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines and report unguarded downed lines by calling 9-1-1 and Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. Consumers Energy reminds people that falsely calling in downed lines actually slows down the restoration process for everyone.
Never use a generator in an attached garage, basement, enclosed patio or near any air intakes. Doing so could cause a generator to produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas. Read more guidance on safe generator use here.
Consumers Energy will trim or remove trees interfering with electric restoration activities. Once safe to do so, clean-up of debris from tree trimming or removal during a storm emergency is the responsibility of individual property owners.
In some cases, the mast that holds the electric service wires to a home or business may have been damaged or torn away. Crews will reconnect the wires to a home, but only a licensed electrician can repair or replace a mast or a cable.
On the heels of last month’s cold snap, Consumers Energy is pledging $5 million in contributions to Michigan nonprofits to help at-risk customers pay their heating bills starting in February.
“Consumers Energy is proud to lend a hand to households who need help this winter,” said Brandon Hofmeister, Consumers Energy’s senior vice president for strategy, sustainability and external affairs. “We want our customers who are concerned with making ends meet to know dollars will be available that can make a difference.”
Consumers Energy is making contributions to five nonprofit agencies this month to help families that are facing hardship. The dollars are available to income-qualified customers through the following organizations:
*TrueNorth Community Services *United Way of South Central Michigan *The Salvation Army *St. Vincent de Paul Society *Michigan Veterans Trust Fund
People who need help should call 2-1-1, a free service that connects Michiganders with nonprofits to find help with basic needs, from energy bills to food and shelter. Consumers Energy customers also should call 800-477-5050 if they are facing challenges with their bill.
“Consumers Energy’s generous gift couldn’t come at a better time,” said Chris Sargent, president and executive officer for United Way of South Central Michigan. “Barely halfway through a tough winter, families who struggle financially are finding it hard to keep up with essentials like heating costs. This support gives them hope and a warm home. United Way’s Program Assistance Center is grateful for Consumers Energy’s compassionate partnership.”
Last year, Consumers Energy helped over 137,000 Michiganders to obtain nearly $69 million from a variety of sources to pay energy costs. The company is dedicated to the people who count on us for energy and heat, and provides assistance that allows people to stay safe and warm in their homes.
“When it’s cold outside, our customers can count on us for reliable energy and a helping hand when they need it,” Hofmeister said. “We’re confident our $5 million contribution will provide meaningful assistance to thousands of households today and over the months ahead.”
Consumers Energy also is encouraging customers to apply for Michigan’s Home Heating Credit. If your income is at or below 110% of the federal poverty level, you may apply for the credit for the 2024 tax year to help pay your energy bill.
From Nov. 15 through March 15, parking is not allowed on any public street from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. in Kentwood. Additionally, parking is not allowed during times when street parking could make it difficult for, or prevent snow removal.
To file a complaint about a parking violation, residents can submit the complaint online, by phone 616-656-6574 or in person at the Police Department, 4742 Walma Ave. SE.
Clear fire hydrants
Kentwood is asking residents to help keep fire hydrants near their homes or businesses clear of snow. It is recommended keeping snow and ice at least three feet away from hydrants on all sides. Keeping hydrants clear of snow and ice saves firefighters time when dealing with a fire.
Keep sidewalks clear
In Kentwood, it is the property owners responsibility to clear the sidewalk when there are two or more inches of snow.
Temperatures have started to drop in Michigan and winter will be here before you know it. Before the snow flies and the ground freezes, you’ll want to make sure your mailbox is winter ready.
The post can become rusted or rotten over time, and you may find the box itself is missing some screws. These issues can make your mailbox more likely to fall over or be damaged by heavy snow pushed off the road by a snow plow. Plus, fixing or replacing a mailbox in winter can be difficult.
You can avoid all of this by taking a few easy steps now to determine if your mailbox is ready for winter.
To see if your mailbox is secure, simply give it a good shake.
To be secure enough to handle a Michigan winter, your mailbox shouldn’t really move, the box should be solidly attached to the post and the post firmly stuck in the ground. Additionally, the door to the mailbox should remain tightly shut (please see video above for more details).
(Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Temporary solutions like bungee cords and duct tape won’t last a full season.
Time to replace it?
If tightening screws isn’t enough to make it secure, it’s time to replace it. Addressing necessary repairs now will save you the hassle of a damaged mailbox and delayed mail later.
Please give your mailbox a good shake today and make sure you’re prepared for the season ahead.
Kent County Animal Shelter this week announced has some cold weather tips to protect pets from this winter’s often dangerous freezing temperatures, including producing the updated video (above). The KCAS also announced it is prepared to investigate all reports of animal neglect throughout the winter.
While Michigan law does not prohibit dogs from being left outside in the cold, state law requires that all dogs who spend time outside have access to adequate shelter, fresh water, and dry bedding, according to the KCAS announcement. The statue also stipulates separate shelter requirements for livestock.
(From Kent County Animal Shelter video)
“The best place for our pets is in our home next to us, but we know that is not always possible. We encourage all pet owners to take appropriate steps to protect those animals that may be left outside for long stretches of time,” Angela Hollinshead, Kent County Animal Shelter Division Director, said in supplied material. “Many pets are not equipped to handle the effects of cold temperatures, so we want to remind pet owners of their responsibilities to care for them during the winter.”
A few of the cold weather requirements in state statue include maintaining adequate shelter:
Inside the owners’ home, or an enclosure or shelter with at least three sides and a roof that is appropriate for the size and breed of the dog.
Or in a structure, including a garage, barn or shed, that is sufficiently insulated and ventilated to protect the dog from exposure to extreme temperatures, or if not sufficiently insulated and ventilated, contains a doghouse inside the structure (or structures or natural features such as trees or topography for livestock).
Also animals should be provided dry bedding, such as straw, when the temperature is or predicated to be below freezing. Avoid using blankets or cloth bedding as these materials will likely get wet and freeze.
Finally, provide water that is safe to drink and suitable for the age and species of the animal. Owners are encouraged to check every few hours to ensure the water is not frozen.
Although Michigan law does not directly address free-roaming or community cats, the KCAS encourages residents be mindful of their needs as well. Cats are typically well adapted for living in colder climates, but they greatly benefit from having access to a shelter. Simple cat shelters made from a storage tote lined with foam and stuffed with straw make great places for cats to escape from the cold. (An instructional video for creating your own cat shelter is available on the KCAS website.)
“Michigan winters are certainly beautiful but can be dangerous for some animals if they do not have appropriate resources,” Hollinshead said. “We encourage pet owners to watch our educational video and learn about these dangers, so your pets are safe and happy this winter.
“If you cannot keep your pet indoors and need resources, we urge residents to reach out to the KCAS to so see how we can help.”
The KCAS also stated it investigates all reports of animal neglect throughout the winter. Residents are encouraged to call the KCAS at 616-632-7300 “if they notice an animal being kept outside for an extended period without adequate shelter, water, and bedding.”
Old Man Winter hit hard—really hard these past few weeks. With wind chills below zero and temperatures continue to dip, it’s important to stay warm and safe.
The American Red Cross offers these safety tips. Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. Stay indoors, if possible. Mittens are warmer than gloves and get water/resistant coats and boots.
Avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow or dense fog.
Before tackling strenuous tasks in cold temperatures, consider your physical condition, the weather factors and the nature of the task.
Check on your animals. If possible, bring them indoors
Protect your pipes
Run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent your pipes from freezing. Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.
Better safe than sorry. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night. Your heating bill may be a little higher, but you could avoid a more costly repair job if your pipes freeze and burst.
Frostbite and Hypothermia
Frostbite and hypothermia are cold-related emergencies that may quickly become life or limb threatening. Preventing cold-related emergencies includes not starting an activity in, on, or around cold water unless you know you can get help quickly in an emergency.
Drink plenty of warm fluids or warm water but avoid caffeine and alcohol. Stay active to maintain body heat. Take frequent breaks from the cold.
Avoid unnecessary exposure of any part of the body to the cold. Get out of the cold immediately if the signals of hypothermia or frostbite appear.
