Storm Update: DTE Restoring Power for Thousands in Canton

DTE crews are working to restore power to nearly 1,900 customers affected by a brief, but intense storm that blew across the state Monday.

Lilley Road, south of Palmer, is closed while crews removed several downed trees and restore electricity to the area.

Canton Township emergency manager Kathy Rich said most of the damage appears to have been caused by straight-line winds. The National Weather Service's initial report indicates wind gusts reached 70 miles an hour. No injuries have been reported in Canton, Rich said, though a man in suburban Grand Rapids was killed when a falling tree crushed the garage he'd been standing in.

Effects of Monday's severe thunderstorm:

• DTE is reporting that fewer than 1,900 customers in Canton remain in the dark, down from the more than 4,000 DTE had previously reported. The outages are scattered throughout the township.
• Damaged the roof of the , where crews have made initial repairs.
• Knocked down at least five trees in the area of Sheldon and Palmer; Sheldon is is closed in both directions, police said.
• Many more trees are down near Lilley and Michigan.
• Firefighters have also responded to a downed wire report in the 8100 block of Canton Center Road, which affected a home.
• A downed tree is also being reported on the 4100 block of Canton Court.
• Canton Center Road, south of Joy, was blocked for several hours by a downed tree.

Drivers should also be cautious when approaching intersections, as the storm has knocked out power in some areas.

Canton Police spokesman Sgt. Mark Gajeski warned:"numerous power and phone lines are down. Do not approach any line that is on the ground. Contact the police."

For emergency help, call 911 or 394-5400.