Why Are Low-Flying Helicopters Circling West Michigan?

If you notice low-flying helicopters circling West Michigan in the coming weeks - don't panic! Nothing weird is happening, and it is all pre-planned.

Weather permitting, helicopters from ITC, an independent electricity transmission company, will be flying around the entire state of Michigan inspecting towers and lines. This is basically done to check the status of the overall system.

While it seems that Yoopers won't see the helicopters, a lot of people in the Lower Peninsula will.

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These flyovers begin September 9 and will continue through October 4. Again, the schedule below is weather-dependent.

Lines and structures in Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Bay, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Iosco, Kalkaska, Lake Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Midland, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon and Wexford counties will be inspected from September 9 through September 12.

Lines and structures in Allegan, Clinton, Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, and Ottawa counties will be inspected from September 13 through September 17.

Lines and structures in Allegan, Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lenawee, Monroe, Ottawa, Shiawassee, St. Joseph, Van Buren, and Washtenaw counties will be inspected from September 18 through September 20.

Lines and structures in Bay, Genesee, Gratiot, Huron, Ingham, Isabella, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Midland, Montcalm, Oakland, Saginaw, Shiawassee, St. Clair, and Tuscola counties will be inspected from September 23 through September 30.

Lines and structures in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties will be inspected from October 1 through October 4.

In short, don't panic, this is routine and to be expected.