Winds gusting around 50 miles per hour blew through the Oxford area Sunday downing trees and power lines, leaving many residents without electricity.
A peak wind gust of 53 mph was recorded at the National Weather Service’s forecast office in White Lake Township while Pontiac recorded a 49 mph gust at 11:49 a.m.
A 55 mph gust was reported at Detroit Metro Airport at 10:47 a.m.
DTE Energy spokesperson Lorie Kessler reported about 700 Oxford customers lost power as a result of the strong winds while about 35 customers were left without electricity in Addison Township.
On Monday morning, Kessler said less than 60 Oxford customers were still without power in addition to the 35 Addison customers.
Downed power lines were reported on S. Coats Road and N. Oxford Road (across from the high school) yesterday along with what turned out to be a downed cable wire at Beverly and Grampian roads.
A power pole at W. Drahner Road and Glenmoor Drive, (across from the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse) was reported on fire around 9:30 a.m., according to Oxford Fire Chief Jack LeRoy.
LeRoy said it appears a storm-related electrical short caused a fire that burned off the top section of the pole.
DTE Energy workers disconnected the damaged portion, made temporary repairs and are expected to replace the entire pole, according to the chief, who noted that section of W. Drahner was closed to traffic from about 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Addison Fire Chief George Spencer reported downed power lines blocking Lake George Road, north of Oakwood Road, from 2 to 9 p.m. and Curtis Road in the 4100 block.
Addison firefighters also removed downed trees at Hosner and Ray roads, Lake George and Oakwood roads, and two on Rochester Road, north of Leonard.