Story perspectives

Michigan Faces Power Outages Amid Ice Storm and Snowfall

12/29/2025

Center

Michigan Power Outages

Over 112,000 customers lack power in Michigan as of December 29, 2025, after an ice storm on December 26 coated trees with up to half an inch of ice.
Clare County had the highest outages, with over 15,000 affected; winter storm warnings are in effect across counties in Michigan and New Hampshire.
A bomb cyclone is expected to bring 2 feet of snow and winds up to 60 mph.

Left

Hochul Declares Emergency

A winter storm affected New York State and New England on December 29, 2025, causing freezing rain and significant ice accumulation.
The National Weather Service warned of ice storm conditions, predicting up to seven-tenths of an inch in northern New York and Vermont.
Governor Kathy Hochul reported over 24,000 power outages in New York, while Vermont's Governor Phil Scott warned of hazardous travel.
More than half of New York's counties declared a state of emergency due to heavy snowfall, the highest accumulation in nearly four years.

History

Historical Context

The Great Blizzard of 1888, which struck from March 11 to 14, was one of the deadliest blizzards in U.S. history, claiming over 400 lives and paralyzing the East Coast from Chesapeake Bay to Maine. The storm's severe conditions prompted infrastructure changes, including the underground placement of telegraph and rail lines, highlighting the ongoing challenges of extreme weather exacerbated by climate change.

1 of 3

Michigan Power Outages

Over 112,000 customers lack power in Michigan as of December 29, 2025, after an ice storm on December 26 coated trees with up to half an inch of ice.
Clare County had the highest outages, with over 15,000 affected; winter storm warnings are in effect across counties in Michigan and New Hampshire.
A bomb cyclone is expected to bring 2 feet of snow and winds up to 60 mph.

1 / 3