By Genine Hayden
This winter started early and it has given only a small reprieve for Christmas before coming back with a vengeance beginning Friday and hitting hardest Sunday night through Monday. About half of the residents in Clare County were down and warming centers were opened across the area. Clare County Emergency Manager Jerry Becker and the numerous emergency responders from those working the road crew clearing streets and freeways to law enforcement worked tirelessly to help citizens in need. Still, their efforts often felt like they were taking one step forward and several steps back. As of press time, there are still people without power, although efforts have finally begun to pay off as some saw their service – and heat – resume early Tuesday.
Freezing rain has been at the heart of both power outages and dangerous conditions on the road and even at home. As our first big snow began to melt with warm temperatures, Michigan, particularly the Clare County area, saw freezing rain on top of the ice from the melting snow, even as temperatures dipped well below the freezing threshold. This phenomenon is caused by warmer air in the upper atmosphere where the precipitation originates, resulting in the rain freezing as it passes through lower and colder atmospheric conditions. The entire state was in what is referred to as a “bomb cyclone” that is unpredictable in the storm intensity, since it builds very rapidly during a sharp drop in atmospheric pressure. The storm brings mixed precipitation as well and the conditions included high, sustained winds; it also tends to seemingly change wind directions causing numerous snow devils (snow tornadoes).
This ice wasn’t subtle either, roughly about 1/4 to 1/2 inch and fell in the overnight hours of Christmas leading into Friday. This ice coated everything in its path including the power lines and tree branches, leading to downed limbs. But the best was yet to come, as the weekend continued breezing, warmer temperatures followed by bitt er evening temperatures. Sunday afternoon and evening saw high winds begin and everything began to tumble like a Jenga game. Many saw power outages begin in the early afternoon on Sunday, predominantly in the Clare and Farwell area, but continued as the winds picked up overnight. By early Monday morning, the dominoes began to fall throughout the county. Clare County was one of the hardest hit in the Mid-Michigan region,
Warming stations were open around the county on Monday to provide people without power a safe and warm area to spend their day, but unfortunately, these closed in the early evening, due in part to potential for having power restored that unfortunately did not occur with sustained winds as high as they were into the 3o mph to 40 mph, and gusts into the 50 to 60 mph range. Repairing downed lines in those conditions is very tough, especially since bucket trucks are not operable in those conditions. But progress continued, albeit slowly, as households were restored. Many areas of the City of Clare were back online by Monday afternoon and evening and Farwell had many of its residents restored by Tuesday morning. Unfortunately, that still leaves many area residents without power, prompting the Red Cross to step in and help maintain warming centers 24/7 at Hayes Township and a day warming center at Farwell High School, at least through Tuesday. The reason for the 24/7 warming center arose when two elderly women were without anywhere to go when the Hayes Township Hall was closing and a scramble to find temporary shelter for the evening was made, with a successful outcome and both women were able to find families to take them in for the night. That was a combined effort by Becker, Hayes Township Clerk Debra Hoyt, former Hayes Township Treasurer Maye Rood, former Clare County Probation Officer Nola Hopkins, and the Clare County Review.
Hayes Township was one of six locations throughout the county that offered shelter to residents, including Hatton Township, Harrison District Library, Pere-Marquette Library, Garfield Township, and Lake George. Elected officials worked tirelessly to get warming centers ready. Hayes Township Supervisor Brendan Powell was very proud of how everyone there pulled together.
“None of this would have been possible without the great communication with Jerry Becker, and all our workers here. They have been instrumental in coordinating our outreach to area residents. We will continue to work with Jerry and the Red Cross to make sure we stay open throughout the night as long as is needed through this inclement weather event.”
Other issues were handled quickly by Clare County Road Commission, including over 200 downed trees and near constant plowing, salting, and sanding of roadways. During my time out in the area Monday I saw county trucks at least seven different occasions from the south tip of Clare through the north of Harrison area near the Roscommon/Clare County line. This was a tireless effort that saw all hands-on deck and the road commission is to be commended for their efforts that continued through Tuesday to clear side roads. Road Commission Supervisor Dave Bondie asked the public to be patient as they work to the side roads.
“We have all the MDOT trunk lines, freeways, secondary roads are good but it will take a bit of time to get to the side roads,” Bondie said, “We’ve assisted and been assisted by all our area agencies…police, fire, MMR, Emergency Management, it has been a real coordinated effort and we’ve worked very well together. We are also helping Consumer’s with sand so they can access areas to restore power.”
Most of the area emergency responder agencies have worked long shifts and gotten little if any sleep to keep Clare County up and running as best as they could.
As our climate continues to undergo changes, these “freak” weather situations will become more normal. Between higher ocean temperatures affecting the conveyor belt currents as well as the atmospheric currents, like those that cause freezing rain in temperatures we would normally receive snow.
Clare County Emergency Manager Jerry Becker wanted to remind anyone using the overnight warming shelter at Hayes Township to make sure and bring any medication they require, any special foods they may require, and a change of clothing. His office continues to provide press releases to local media for updates.
Consumer’s Energy is hoping to have the areas still without power restored as soon as possible.
