Severe weather: rain, ice in large lakes, orthotics to the south for storms

Glacial rains have dropped the trees and power lines from Michigan and Wisconsin, reducing electricity for thousands of people on Sunday in the Great Higher Lakes region, while the forecasters said that the bad weather was on the way to Tennessee.

Winds exceeding 70 MPH (112 km / h) were possible for the middle of the Tennessee, with a chance of tornadoes as well as hail up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) on Sunday evening, the National Weather Service said.

“Have your safe place cleaned in case,” the forecasters said on the social platform X.

Over 400,000 power failures have been reported In Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. The churches that had power, as well as schools and firefighters, were transformed into warming centers while public services worked to restore electricity, a job that will probably extend Monday in small communities and rural pockets.

The meteorological service office in Gaylord, Michigan, was in the middle, saying on X: “The accumulations go from half a thumb here to an inch of ice!”

Despite the calendar showing spring, “it’s still winter,” said Ryan Brege, director general of the Alpena county, Michigan, road commission, 250 miles (402 kilometers) north of Detroit.

Alpena Power said almost all of its 16,750 customers – houses and businesses – were in the dark. Many churches without power in Wisconsin and Michigan were forced to cancel the Sunday services.

“We pray that everyone stays safe!” said the Calvary Lutheran church in Merrill, Wisconsin.

Jesika Fox said that she and her husband had led more than 40 minutes from their home to Alpena, Michigan, to find fuel for a generator. His family lost power on Saturday evening but kept the house warm using a fan to circulate the heat from a gas stove.

“We have just passed a veterinary clinic. The entire front corner of the building was removed by a tree,” said Fox, 36.

Sarah Melching, director of emergency services in the county of almost Isle, said that almost all the county – 13,200 inhabitants – has no power.

“There are always trees. It’s a bit ruthless there,” said Melching.

The authorities in South Carolina declared progress on Sunday to control forest fires in the Blue Ridge mountains. Kinging table and ridge rock fires burned about 17 square miles (44 square kilometers). Compulsory evacuations were ordered on Saturday for certain residents of the Greenville County.

“Thank you for the prayers. They are heard. There is rain in the air,” said Derrick Moore, Operations Head of the Blue team in the southern region.