A massive, slow-moving storm that hit the nation's midsection dropped several inches of wet, sloppy snow across southeast Michigan, creating slippery driving conditions and forcing hundreds of schools to close.
Utilities in Michigan say roughly 54,000 homes and businesses are without electrical service. Detroit-based DTE Energy Co. says about 40,000 of its customers are without power Wednesday morning after the storm knocked down power lines and tree branches.
DTE says Washtenaw County was the hardest hit, with about 26,000 outages reported. About 6,000 DTE customers lost power in Oakland County.
Over 650 schools closed their doors Wednesday, leaving thousands of
students to enjoy a snow days. Sydney Fournier of Madison Heights says
she found out about her day off while using her iPad. Click the video player to hear more from Fournier.
Weather Authority Ben Bailey says we can expect periods of dry weather throughout the day mixed with scattered show showers. High temperatures should reach 36 degrees.
Sheriff Bob Bezotte says the slushy roads caused 18 traffic accidents in Livingston County during the overnight hours. He says no serious injuries were reported.
The National Weather Service says 6 inches of snow fell in the Grand Haven and Muskegon areas, while 5 inches fell between Lansing and Jackson. Four to 5 inches fell in Grand Rapids. Four inches fell in Saginaw.
The storm was so big -- making travel perilous Tuesday from the Oklahoma Panhandle to the Great Lakes -- that snowfall was expected to linger in Chicago and other parts of the Midwest on Wednesday, with additional accumulations of up to 1 1/2 inches, said Matt Friedlein, a meteorologist in the National Weather Service's northern Illinois office. Chicago received 2-4 inches of snow Tuesday, but some northern suburbs got up to 7 1/2 inches, Friedlein said.
Other parts of the Midwest got far more, with more than 15 inches in parts of Oklahoma, up to a foot in Kansas and up to 13 1/2 inches in Missouri. In Iowa, where the storm could drop more than a foot before it was over, officials warned that travel would be hazardous Tuesday night as temperatures fell and ice formed on snowy roads.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 7:19 PM EDT2013-06-12 23:19:12 GMT
Jurors in the involuntary manslaughter trial of a Detroit police officer have watched a demonstration of a stun grenade like the one used during a raid that killed a girl.
Jurors in the involuntary manslaughter trial of a Detroit police officer have watched a demonstration of a stun grenade like the one used during a raid that killed a girl.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:54 AM EDT2013-06-10 11:54:22 GMT
The auto industry is about to go on a hiring spree as car makers and parts suppliers race to find engineers, technicians and factory workers to build the next generation of vehicles.
The auto industry is about to go on a hiring spree as car makers and parts suppliers race to find engineers, technicians and factory workers to build the next generation of vehicles.
Thursday, June 6 2013 7:44 AM EDT2013-06-06 11:44:22 GMT
The TSA is abandoning a plan to allow passengers to carry small knives onto planes in the face of fierce congressional and industry opposition, the head of the agency said Wednesday.
The TSA is abandoning a plan to allow passengers to carry small knives onto planes in the face of fierce congressional and industry opposition, the head of the agency said Wednesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:01:57 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush. Crews have bee working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:50:52 GMT
FDNY photo via Twitter
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:44 GMT
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:29 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:29:11 GMT
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:46:58 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:26:33 GMT
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:54:19 GMT
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:44 GMT
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.