Central Michigan cleans up after storm

HOLT, Mich. (WLNS) – More than 2,000 people in Holt and Mason were without power after a stormy Thursday afternoon. One of them is Holt resident Lorin Gipe. He says he can’t remember hearing the moment a tree limb took down his power line.

“All we heard was the hail and the wind hitting the side of the house. I looked out the window and that was the first tree I spotted,” Gipe said.

Gipe may also have to wait a little longer than his neighbors for power to be restored. The storm also knocked down the power pole on his house.

“You need to have an electrician check it to make sure there is no damage there,” Gipe said.

Other people were not so patient in waiting for the damage to be repaired.

6 A news crew on the scene saw a resident of a Holt neighborhood cross a cordoned off barrier around a downed power line to help a car enter the neighborhood. Utility companies recommend that people stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines.

Other residents also take advantage of the evening and help out.

“Some of these people don’t have anyone to help them, that’s why we’re here,” said Caden Grant. Grant was behind the wheel of a lawn mower, cutting up branches large and small and clearing them from neighbors’ yards.

He and his friend Carter Sproessig said it was the best way to pass the time while waiting for the lights to come back on.

“It’s fun to help people, you know? There’s no electricity, so why not do something to help other people?” Sproessig said.