News Summary
On May 8, 2025, Grand Rapids experienced a major power outage affecting 6,000 customers, particularly in downtown and East Hills neighborhoods. Four Grand Rapids Public Schools closed for the day, while many residents were left without electricity. Power was mostly restored by 7:30 a.m., but estimates vary for full restoration. The cause remains unclear, prompting an investigation by Consumers Energy. Authorities advised residents to exercise caution during the outage and stay prepared for future disruptions.
Grand Rapids experienced a significant power outage on May 8, 2025, affecting approximately 6,000 customers, as reported by Consumers Energy. The outage primarily impacted areas of downtown, Heritage Hill, and the East Hills neighborhoods. The incident was first reported just before 6 a.m., with the largest outage observed in the vicinity of Lake Drive SE and Eastern Avenue SE, where over 3,000 customers were left without electricity.
In response to the power outage, four Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) have closed for the day: Congress Elementary School, Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy, Innovation Central High School, and Grand Rapids Montessori Academy and Middle High School. All other schools in the district remain open and operational.
As of 7:30 a.m., power was restored to most customers; however, restoration estimates varied. While initial expectations indicated that all outages would resolve by around 10:30 a.m., some areas might not regain power until as late as noon. Customers have been advised to check the Consumers Energy outage map for live updates on restoration efforts.
Authorities have urged residents to treat intersections with dead traffic signals as four-way stops to ensure safety on the roads during the outage. The cause of the power disruption remains unclear, and an investigation by Consumers Energy is ongoing.
Typically, power outages can be caused by a variety of factors, including severe weather, equipment failure, and maintenance issues. However, at this time, specific details regarding what triggered this particular incident in Grand Rapids have not been disclosed.
The situation highlights the importance of preparedness during electricity outages, as residents are encouraged to keep flashlights, batteries, and other essentials on hand in case of emergencies. Customers are urged to stay informed about the status of power restoration to their homes and businesses and to communicate any urgent needs to their service providers.
As this story develops, more information will be released to the public, especially about the cause of the outage and any related safety measures that may be implemented to prevent future occurrences. Residents should remain vigilant and prioritize safety while navigating the ongoing situation.
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Additional Resources
- Wood TV: Thousands Without Power in Grand Rapids
- Wikipedia: Power Outage
- WZZM 13: Grand Rapids Power Outage
- Google Search: Grand Rapids power outage
- MLive: About 5,000 Without Electricity in Grand Rapids
- Google Scholar: Power Outage Impacts
- Lansing State Journal: High Winds Power Outage in Northern Michigan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Electricity
- WWMT: Power Outage in Grand Rapids
- Google News: Power Outage Michigan
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
