Severe Weather

As DTE works to get power restored to customers after this week’s storms, the call continues for changes to utilities in Washtenaw County and across Michigan. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has this report.

Republicans are pushing back against Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s plan to deputize private practice attorneys to pursue climate lawsuits. As Rick Pluta reports, Nessel’s office is seeking proposals for lawsuits against oil and gas companies.

The Michigan Avenue branch of the Ypsilanti District Library flooded during a severe rainstorm back in July. Its closing has been a big loss to the community, but plans are in the works to come back bigger and better. WEMU's Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale caught up with downtown branch manager Joy Cichewicz for the latest.

The three major power outages that took place in Ann Arbor earlier this year came with a significant price tag. As a result, the City Council passed a resolution to put pressure on DTE to improve service. WEMU’s Josh Hakala reports.

Residential rain gardens may seem like a small component of environmental sustainability. We’re learning just how big of an impact they make in Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan. A brand new, interactive mapping tool shows where many of the residential rain gardens are and the amount of stormwater they collectively capture. Learn more in this conversation with WEMU's David Fair and Susan Bryan, the Rain Garden Coordinator for the Washtenaw County Water Resources Office.

Some areas of Washtenaw County received nearly five inches of rain in a short, three-hour period on Wednesday, August 23rd. The aftermath is still being assessed and addressed. In some areas, it could take months. Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner Evan Pratt joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss storm response and what was learned.

Thousands of Washtenaw County residents are without power Wednesday evening after a major storm this afternoon. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.

A severe storm disrupted the opening day of the 2023 Ann Arbor Art Fair but only caused minor damage. WEMu's Josh Hakala reports.

As of Monday afternoon, more than 10,000 Washtenaw County residents are still without power. This is after a storm blew through most of Southeast Michigan on Sunday. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.

Significant investments are being made to enhance the Ypsilanti area's ability to capture stormwater and add acreage to nature areas that house pollinator prairie gardens. There are seven different projects that are funded over the next two years with grant money. Harry Sheehan is the Chief Deputy Water Resources Commissioner in Washtenaw County and in charge of seeing these projects completed. He joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the positive impacts these enhancements will make for the environment, and the area’s quality of life.