As power outages move into the fourth day, the state's two big utility companies say their crews are working 16-hour shifts to restore electricity to residential and business customers, but it will still likely be Wednesday before all power is restored.

The storm system that began Friday evening, continued Saturday and into Sunday pummeled the state with fierce winds, lightning, rains, and knocked out power to homes and businesses.

As of 11:45 a.m. Monday, about 230,000 customers remain without power. With 600,000 customers impacted, DTE once again said they hope to restore power to 80% of customers by end of day Monday, 90% restored by the end of the day Tuesday, and the remainder restored by Wednesday.

"We know how frustrating and inconvenient it is to try to get through day-to-day life without power," DTE said in a press release. "We’re working as quickly and safely as we can."

Wind gusts Saturday were in excess of 70 miles per hour in some areas, making this the worst storm this year and one of the largest since March 2017, DTE said a press release this weekend.

"We appreciate everyone’s patience," the power company said.

DTE said they have more than 1,100 employees and contractors and nearly 750 workers from as far as Georgia and New York working on restoring power with additional crews arriving Monday.

DTE said they repaired nearly half of the more than 2,000 wires reported by customers. And said they will distribute ice and water until 3 p.m. at locations near areas hit hard by outages:

Lincoln Park at the Kroger near Dix and Southfield Road

Kroger on Michigan Avenue near Merriman Road on the Westland/Inkster border

Livonia near Costco at Middlebelt Road and Interstate 96

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Consumers Energy said crews are working to restore power to the 36,000 customers who still remain without power.

As of 11 a.m. Monday morning, power to more than 184,000 customers has been restored of the 220,000 affected.

“Our crews will continue in ‘storm mode’ working 16-hour shifts until all our customers have been restored," said Guy Packard, Consumers Energy’s vice president of electric operations in a press release. "Aided by nearly ideal weather conditions overnight and this morning, forecast to continue, we’ve been able to make exceptional gains in getting power back on for our customers across our service territory.”

More than 1,700 Consumers Energy employees and contractors were joined by lineworkers from six states — Tennessee, North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri — to address the power outage.

More than 2,800 downed wires have been attributed to the storm, Consumers Energy said.

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DTE Energy offers these tips during power outages:

Never drive across a downed power line. If a power line falls on your vehicle, remain inside until help arrives.

Always operate generators outdoors to avoid dangerous buildup of toxic fumes.

Don’t open refrigerators or freezers more often than absolutely necessary. A closed refrigerator will stay cold for 12 hours. Kept closed, a well-filled freezer will preserve food for two days.

Turn off or unplug all appliances to prevent an electrical overload when power is restored. Leave on one light switch to indicate when power is restored.

If a customer is elderly or has a medical condition that would be adversely impacted by a power outage, they should try to make alternative accommodations with family or friends.

During low-voltage conditions — when lights are dim and television pictures are smaller — shut off motor-driven appliances such as refrigerators to prevent overheating and possible damage. Sensitive electronic devices also should be unplugged.

Stay out of flooded or damp basements or other areas if water is in contact with outlets or any electrically-operated appliance. The water or moisture may serve as a conductor of electricity. This can cause serious or even fatal injury.

Assemble an emergency kit. It should include a battery-powered radio, a flashlight and candles, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, bottled water and non-perishable food.

Customers who depend on electrically powered medical equipment should ask their physician about an emergency battery back-up system. If a customer is elderly or has a medical condition that would be adversely impacted by a power outage, they should develop an emergency plan that allows for alternative accommodations with family or friends.

Keep a corded or cell phone on hand because a cordless telephone needs electricity to operate. Also, customers should learn how to manually open automated garage doors.

Customers who depend on a well for drinking water need to plan ahead on how they will obtain water. Store containers of water for cooking and washing.

Contact Amy Huschka at ahuschka@freepress.com or follow her on Twitter at @aetmanshuschka.

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