MARQUETTE — The Upper Peninsula Power Company reminds customers and the public that winter weather patterns can – and often do – produce high winds and accumulations of wet, heavy snow and ice that can affect the region’s electrical grid.

The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings across the Upper Peninsula from Thursday morning through early Friday. Accumulations of heavy wet snow and sleet between one and three inches, high winds, and gusts as high as 45mph, and potential for ice buildup are forecasted in many locations by the NWS.

“With the combination of wind, snow, and ice, customers should be prepared for the possibility of outages.” said Dan Freeborn, UPPCO’s Manager of Communications & External Affairs. “Our crews are prepared and ready to respond as safely and quickly as conditions allow.”

Never approach or touch a downed power line or anything in contact with one. If you see a downed line, stay at least 35 feet away and call 9-1-1 immediately.

“Downed power lines may be energized and can seriously harm or kill you if contacted. It’s also important to be mindful of portable generator safety when using them during power outages. Additional tips for staying safe during inclement weather can be found at uppco.com/safety,” said Freeborn.

UPPCO is asking customers to report any outages they are experiencing by calling UPPCO Customer Service Center at 906-449-2011 or through its online portal at uppco.com. Customers may experience longer than usual wait times due to weather-related call volumes.