Red Cross opens shelter after storm

The American Red Cross is opening a local shelter after a severe thunderstorm caused significant damage and knocked out power to thousands of businesses and homes in parts of the area.

The shelter is opening today at Kentwood Community Center after the severe weather that started Sunday night.

The Red Cross said that area residents who don't have power or are affected by storm damage are encouraged to visit the shelter.

Outages

Consumers Energy said this morning that roughly 20,000 of its customers lost power.

About 9,600 of those homes and businesses are in Kent County.

Power

The utility said it could be late Tuesday before power is fully restored.