Benton Harbor homes, businesses without power Thursday

 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich.--- Thousands were without power in Southwest Michigan Wednesday night into Thursday. For many, power wasn't turned back on until late Thursday afternoon, and some remained out into the evening. 

"Our power was out, my power was out at my house," said James Gunter. "So, I was driving downtown and noticed that power was out everywhere. So I called Chief McGinnis, and he let me know power was out across the county. I asked if warming stations were needed. He said yes, so I said yes."

The Pillar Center doubled Thursday as a warming center. It's run by Gunter, who started the nonprofit for men.

"Wherever there's a need, we just want to be able to help," he said.

As you go down Main Street in Benton Harbor, some businesses were lights out and empty, like at the Marathon gas station and liquor store.

"Yeah, it's never closed," Gunter said. "Any time of the night, the day, you can go to Marathon. They never close."

More businesses in the Arts District were forced to close for the day, keeping in theme with nearby schools and the Benton Harbor location of Forte Coffee.

"Number one, what I'm worried about at a coffee shop and I have no power is that I also have no business because I can't make coffee, obviously, without power," said Brian Maynard, owner of Forte Coffee. "I worry about perishables, of course, in terms of the refrigerators, making sure milk doesn't go bad. And then I worry about, particularly today when the weather has been bad, the staff driving in."

Over at the Salvation Army Benton Harbor, unhoused folks utilized the chapel-turned-warming center.

"We open up the building after the shelter closes, just for a warm seat, coffee, hot chocolate, just for everyone to come in and get warm," said Core Officer, Lt. Mario Bledsoe. The men, waiting for the shelter to open at 5 p.m. like Billy Gess.

"Thankfully, Salvation Army's open, but everything else has been shut down, you know, just trying to go get a pack of cigarettes and this and that," Gess said.  

Meanwhile, staff worked to find overnight shelter for the women taking refuge. Lt. Bledsoe said they continue to see folks in need of basic winter essentials like hats and gloves.

"Usually, we have items on the table, if it's there in the morning, it's not there when we close," said Lt. Bledsoe.