WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Cleanup and power restoration efforts are continuing in St. Joseph County following a series of storms last week.
Sturgis officials declared a local state of emergency related to widespread, severe damage caused by the violent weather.
City officials said the storms resulted in substantial damage to the city’s power lines due to downed trees and limbs, as well as damaged power poles. The damage is unprecedented for the city’s electric department, municipal officials said.
As part of cleanup efforts, Sturgis Department of Public Services will begin citywide brush pickup next week to collect limbs and branches.
The city estimates around 2,900 customers were originally without power and about 300 customers were still without service Sunday evening.
Crews estimate that 15 miles of power lines outside the city have been affected by the storm, including more than 40 downed power poles. Much of the damage related to outages is concentrated on or connected to the city’s service line running to the hydroelectric dam near Centreville.
