Northern Michigan sheriff condemns death threats against utility workers

A northern Michigan sheriff is asking people to remain patient while utility workers continue to restore electricity to homes nearly two weeks after a devastating ice storm.

An ice storm swept through the region from March 28 through March 30, bringing down thousands of trees and knocking out power to more than 150,000 people. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a State of Emergency for 10 counties on March 31.

According to Presque Isle County Sheriff Joe Brewbaker, after days without power, some people have allegedly harassed line workers and even made death threats over the length of the recovery effort.

“We understand that this has been a very trying and difficult time for everyone involved,” Brewbaker said in a video posted to Facebook. “This storm was compared to a Category 5 hurricane, and no one could have prepared us for the amount of damage that hit our area. Please understand that everyone involved is doing their very best to get people’s power back, utilities back and to help them.”

Read more: NBC 8 (Grand Rapids, MI)