Michigan Winter Storm Generator & Power Outage Checklist

Michigan's outage risk is driven mainly by winter ice storms and high wind events, not hurricanes. Here's what to check before winter weather hits.

Counties tracked

Grade F counties

Checklist

1.Test your generator under load before winter — cold weather makes starting issues more likely, especially with gasoline that's been stored a while.
2.Choose propane or dual-fuel where possible — some gasoline blends can gel or have starting trouble in sub-freezing temperatures.
3.Keep the generator's exhaust and intake clear of snow, and run it well away from the house, doors, and windows — carbon monoxide risk doesn't go away in winter.
4.Insulate exposed pipes and know how to shut off your home's water main — frozen and burst pipes are a common secondary risk during winter outages.
5.Stock extra blankets and warm layers — a generator running space heaters draws significant continuous wattage, so plan for the possibility it can't cover the whole house's heating load.
6.Check on elderly or medically vulnerable neighbors — winter storm outages combined with cold are a serious health risk, especially for anyone depending on medical equipment.