local
Severe storms leave widespread damage, power outages across SE Michigan, more storms possible for Fourth of July
By Ron Hilliard at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· July 4, 2026
· 4 min read
A round of powerful storms left behind widespread damage across Southeast Michigan Friday evening, knocking down trees and power lines and leaving hundreds of thousands of customers without power heading into the Fourth of July holiday.The same heat and humidity that pushed heat index values abov...
Key takeaway Before reaching Metro Detroit , storms produced damaging winds across western and central Michigan, including a wind gust near 80 mph reported near Kalamazoo.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The severe storms that swept through Southeast Michigan on Friday evening have left many residents bracing for a potentially disrupted Fourth of July holiday. With hundreds of thousands of customers without power, the challenge of restoring electricity before the holiday celebrations begin will be a significant test for utility crews. The fact that the storms caused widespread damage and power outages across multiple counties, including Oakland and Wayne, means that resources will be stretched thin. As residents in affected areas like Royal Oak, Chelsea, and Ann Arbor deal with the aftermath of downed trees and power lines, they will also be keeping a close eye on the weather forecast , which suggests more storms could be on the way for the holiday. The impact on outdoor events and festivities, like the Royal Oak Taco Fest, which was forced to shut down, will likely be felt across the region.
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 4, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 4 min
Get more The Detroit stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A round of powerful storms left behind widespread damage across Southeast Michigan Friday evening, knocking down trees and power lines and leaving hundreds of thousands of customers without power heading into the Fourth of July holiday.The same heat and humidity that pushed heat index values abov...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ron Hilliard 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 .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter