A severe ice storm has left much of Northern Michigan in a frozen crisis, with neighbors trapped in icy conditions and entire communities left without power for days.
According to neighbors, the storm’s impact stretches from Charlevoix to East Jordan, down through Elmira and Grayling, extending across the eastern part of the Lower Peninsula and into the Upper Peninsula.
For many, the return of power remains at least a week away as utility crews work tirelessly to clear downed trees and restore electrical lines.
Even seasoned northern Michiganders are struggling to comprehend the sheer magnitude of the storm’s destruction.
Social media is flooded with photos and videos of ice-covered trees, collapsed power lines, and communities blanketed in a sheet of ice.
Some share videos of trees buckling under the weight of the ice, cracking, and falling onto roadways and power lines.
In towns from Traverse City to Mackinaw, Gaylord to Petoskey, residents are sharing that they’re struggling to stay warm as outages drag on.
Other people shared their experiences from Alpena, Rogers City, and Cheboygan.
In some areas, gas stations have seen long lines of cars waiting for fuel as people try to power generators or leave to get warm.
One video, posted by a woman named Ella, shows a seemingly endless line of vehicles just trying to fill up with gas.
According to those with the radio station 106 KHQ in Petoskey, a radio tower was toppled by the storm, taking the station off the air for days. Despite the setback, staff made a fun video and told Local 4 they are hoping to be back on the air as early as Thursday (April 3) afternoon.
“There is a tremendous sense of gratitude up here for all the work being done to help us stay safe and recover,” said Peter Garber, Vice President of Programming for MacDonald Garber Broadcasting. “The linemen from Consumers Energy and Great Lakes Energy, the National Guard, our representatives, and countless local businesses have all worked their tails off to respond, and we’ve needed every bit of it.”
Northern Michigan’s sense of humor and resilience continues to shine as residents share lighthearted moments, including one viral video of someone pretending a frozen tree branch is a comb.
Another woman said while the storms have been “heartbreaking,” she has been supporting workers the best way she can.
“If you see any of the linemen out, buy them lunch if they’re standing in line,” she said in a TikTok video. “Yesterday, I did.”
“I do think the rest of the state should know that this is going to take a while to recover from,” said Garber. “The ice is devastating. The destruction is not over. The help needs to keep coming.”
Read: 15+ state parks, facilities in Northern Michigan closed after ice storm
