Freezing rain leaves thousands powerless in Michigan, Wisconsin

• Freezing rain has caused major disruptions in Michigan and Wisconsin, bringing down power lines and leaving thousands of residents without electricity.
• Meteorologists warn that a dangerous weather front is moving toward Tennessee. Wind gusts exceeding 70 mph are expected, along with a potential for tornadoes.
• Local authorities in Michigan and Wisconsin have set up temporary assistance centers in churches, schools, and fire stations for affected residents.

The freezing rain that hit Michigan and Wisconsin has caused significant disruptions in power supply. Thousands of residents in the Great Lakes region are without electricity. Power lines have been torn down, and trees have been felled by the weight of the ice.

Meteorologists warn that a dangerous weather front is moving toward Tennessee. In this region, wind gusts exceeding 70 mph are expected, along with the possibility of tornadoes and hail up to 2 inches in diameter. The National Weather Service (NWS) is monitoring the situation to ensure residents' safety.

In response to the energy crisis, local authorities in Michigan and Wisconsin have transformed churches, schools, and fire stations into temporary assistance centers. Ryan Brege, Managing Director of Alpena County in Michigan, emphasized that despite the calendar showing spring, winter is still making its presence felt. The Alpena Power company reported that nearly all of its over 16,000 customers remain without power.

In addition to the issues related to freezing rain, authorities in South Carolina are struggling with wildfires in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The fire has consumed over 10,000 acres in the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge areas, forcing some residents of Greenville County to evacuate.