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DTE: Underground cable failures cause extended outage for thousands in northwest Detroit
By Jenny Sherman at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· July 15, 2026
· 2 min read
Nearly 8,000 northwest Detroit residents lost power Tuesday night after two cables to the power lines leading to a DTE Energy substation failed.Update: Thousands still without power as DTE tests failed cables in Detroit heat waveIn a brief press conference held outside the substation on Wednesday...
Key takeaway “Through the night we were able to restore about 2,300 customers, just shy of 30%, and we continue to work around the clock to restore the remaining customers that have been impacted,” said Jerry Tullio, operations director for DTE Energy.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The extended power outage in northwest Detroit has significant implications for local residents, particularly vulnerable populations such as the elderly and young families. With temperatures remaining high, the lack of electricity poses serious health risks, making DTE's efforts to set up cooling centers a crucial step in mitigating the impact. The company's decision to deploy utility-sized generators to aid in restoration efforts also underscores the complexity of the underground cable failures. As DTE works to repair the damaged lines, residents can expect continued disruptions, highlighting the need for reliable infrastructure in the city. The outage also raises questions about the resilience of Detroit's power grid, especially in the face of extreme weather conditions, and whether more needs to be done to prevent such widespread outages in the future. Residents can track the latest restoration estimates on DTE's Outage Map, but for now, many will have to rely on the cooling centers and assistance from DTE representatives.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 15, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Nearly 8,000 northwest Detroit residents lost power Tuesday night after two cables to the power lines leading to a DTE Energy substation failed.Update: Thousands still without power as DTE tests failed cables in Detroit heat waveIn a brief press conference held outside the substation on Wednesday...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 15, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jenny Sherman at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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