Icy power lines hang over the road on M-72 on Monday in Northeast Michigan following a severe ice storm.

ALPENA — Tens of thousands of people in Northeast Michigan remain without electricity days after a severe ice storm blanketed the entire region.

Some power has been restored in Alpena, but most communities in Montmorency, Alcona, and Presque Isle counties may have to wait days before power is restored.

The storm brought between a half inch to an inch of ice to the region, which damaged critical electric infrastructure that was also damaged or destroyed by falling trees that toppled over due to the weight of the ice.

Allan Berg, the president of Presque Isle Electric and Gas Co-Op, said large sections of its power system have been severely damaged or destroyed. He said substation transformers were damaged, as well as the wired mains, and it will take time to repair or replace them. Berg said the storm knocked down more than 300 power poles, and many still need to be replaced and wired. Trees in the roadways have also hampered restoration efforts, and trees continue to fall.

Berg said it could take at least five days to a week from today to restore power to many of its members. He said he wouldn’t rule out that it would take longer than that, especially if a forecasted winter storm hits the area today and tonight.

Berg described the storm over the weekend as a once in a lifetime event and one that Northeast Michigan has never encountered before. As of Tuesday morning, Berg said only 5% of the co-op’s customers have regained power, and he said people should begin to find an alternate place to stay because of how long the power could be out.

“The destruction is massive and people have to have a plan to be without power for seven to 10 days or longer,” he said. “There will be some who get power sooner, but this is going to be a long haul. People who don’t have heat, or a generator, should find different accommodations if they can.”

Alpena Power Co. President Ken Dragiewicz said all 16,700 customers lost power from the storm, and as of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, over 10,000 of them have power restored. He said people who live in rural parts of the power system will have to wait the longest to get power back, and he said he could not say how long it would take, especially with the storm brewing Wednesday.

Dragiewicz said lineworkers from Bay City and other areas of the state are assisting the restoration efforts and a local contractor is helping with the removal of fallen trees. He said the incoming winter storm is a large concern because he believes the system can be compromised if there are strong winds and more freezing on the trees.

“I’m worried about how it could impact the restoration and how it could force us to take a step backwards,” he said.

Dragiewicz said crews would continue to work around the clock, but when weather conditions become dangerous, each crew leader will determine when it is time to stand down and wait for conditions to improve.

Many people in the area are eagerly awaiting their power to be restored or to receive updates on the progress being made. Getting vital information about warm-up shelters and other news has been a challenge for many people because they have little or no cell or internet service.

On Tuesday, there was little ice remaining on trees in Alpena, but you don’t have to travel far into the rural areas for the conditions to change. The trees and power lines are still heavily covered with ice and a threat to fall, which would slow progress.

Consumers Energy, which services Rogers City and many other communities statewide, said in a press release on Tuesday that about 70% of its 260,000 customers affected by the weekend weather now have power, but as of Tuesday afternoon, Rogers City was pretty much without electricity.

In a press release, Consumers Energy said it will continue to dedicate manpower and tools to restore power in the small Northeast Michigan city. The power company also warned residents that they should prepare for the approaching storm, and it has more than 800 utility crews, including some from outside Michigan, set to respond if there is further power loss or damage to existing power systems from the storm.

“As restoration efforts continue, the company is preparing for another round of severe weather – with high winds, hail and the potential for more ice in the forecast,” it said in a press release on Tuesday afternoon. “We understand how disruptive power outages can be, and our team is doing everything possible to be ready before the storm hits. We appreciate our customers’ patience and want them to know we are committed to working around the clock until every last customer is restored.”

State Sen. Michelle Hointenga, R-Manton, was visiting some of the communities in her district that were hit hardest by the ice storm and power outages. She said the amount of destruction is unimaginable and promised to do her best to encourage Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to send the area everything it needs to get through the prolonged power outage and clean up.

Hoitenga said some of the assistance from the state has already arrived, and more is en route. Still, she said she believes there is more that the state government can do, and she will continue to push for more help for Northeast Michigan.

“My heart goes out to everyone who is living through this, and I want to reassure them I am working with my state and local government partners, utility providers, and everyone in between to help get people through this,” she said. “Nobody can understand how serious this is until they see the destruction for themselves. I believe we can still better utilize the National Guard and still bring in more resources, and I am pushing for that.”

State Rep. Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan, said the state has already sent needed resources to the area and he expects it will continue to do so until every last house or business has power. Cavitt added that the federal government is also on standby should the situation deteriorate further.

“The governor’s emergency declaration allows emergency funds to be allocated immediately and fully deploys the Michigan State Police to manage and direct response efforts,” Cavitt said. “MSP has deployed fuel pods, delivered oxygen tanks, and is distributing food and water through the Salvation Army and local food banks. National Guard troops are clearing roads, Starlink devices are being deployed to restore communication, and FEMA is on standby. If you need assistance, call 211, as they are coordinating supply deliveries.”

Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist said the size, scope, and destruction of the storm have caused harm to many people and their property. He said the Whitmer administration has already ordered resources to the area and will continue to do what it takes to help get the area back on its feet. He said the state of emergency will stay in effect and help remain available for as long as it is needed.

Gilchrist said the state will continue to work closely with local officials and the approaching storm does concern him. He said if things take another turn for the worse, Lansing is ready to respond even more.

“We will respond with whatever is needed, for as long as it is needed, and that won’t change,” he said. “Every resource will be made available to this region.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@TheAlpenaNews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.