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Watersmeet Today
By the People, for the People
Blizzard Batters Upper Michigan, Leaving Thousands Without Power
Power companies scramble to restore electricity as harsh weather hampers recovery efforts
Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:53am
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As a relentless blizzard batters Upper Michigan, power companies face the daunting task of restoring electricity to thousands of affected residents.Watersmeet TodayA relentless blizzard has hit Upper Michigan, causing widespread power outages across several counties. Utility companies like UPPCO and the Marquette Board of Light and Power are working to restore power to over 2,200 customers, but the harsh weather conditions are making their efforts incredibly difficult. Downed trees and power lines have contributed to the extensive blackouts, and some customers may face extended outages.
Why it matters
Extreme weather events like this blizzard are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, and they can have significant impacts on local communities. Power outages can disrupt daily life, affect vulnerable populations, and pose safety risks. Understanding the challenges utility companies face in restoring power during these events is crucial for improving disaster preparedness and resilience.
The details
As of 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, UPPCO's outage map showed 1,440 outages in Houghton County and 936 outages in Marquette County. UPPCO announced it was deploying its own crews and contracted teams to restore power to over 2,200 customers across several counties. The Marquette Board of Light and Power also faced challenges, with its online Outage Center temporarily going down due to excessive traffic. The utility urged customers to prepare for potentially extended outages, as the harsh weather was making restoration efforts incredibly difficult. Downed trees were also a major factor, with one witness reporting a tree completely blocking power lines at an intersection.
- As of 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, UPPCO's outage map showed significant power outages.
- At 10:30 a.m. ET, UPPCO announced it was actively working to restore power to over 2,200 customers.
The players
UPPCO
An electric utility company serving customers in Upper Michigan.
Marquette Board of Light and Power (MBLP)
The municipal electric utility serving the city of Marquette, Michigan.
WeEnergies
A utility company that provides electricity and natural gas to customers in Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
What’s next
Power companies will continue to work around the clock to restore electricity to affected customers, but the ongoing blizzard conditions may delay full restoration for some areas.
The takeaway
This blizzard highlights the challenges utility companies face in maintaining reliable power during extreme weather events, which are becoming more common due to climate change. Improving disaster preparedness and investing in grid resilience will be crucial for communities to better withstand and recover from these types of storms in the future.