1M without power in Mich., N.Y., Ohio after windstorms

March 9 (UPI) -- Hundreds of thousands of people were without power Thursday after windstorms struck cities around Lake Erie.

The weather across the area Wednesday was sunny but winds of more than 60 mph caused damage across Michigan. Around 1 million people in the state lost power, at least temporarily. Three thousand power lines fell in southeastern Michigan, where a thus-far mild winter has created softer ground, leading to the uprooting of trees. More than 875,000 electricity customers statewide were without power Thursday morning.

Detroit saw wind gusts of 60 mph, which accelerated fires across the city. Five people died in an east Detroit fire.

In seven counties in Ohio -- including and surrounding Cleveland's Cuyahoga County -- 100,000 customers were without power after windstorms.

On the eastern end of Lake Erie, Buffalo sustained winds but little damage, while nearby suburban and rural areas reported 70 mph wind gusts and numerous instances of downed trees, collapsed awnings and flying debris. There were reports of tractor-trailers blown onto their sides -- empty trucks were then temporarily restricted from traveling on local interstate highways on the order of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo -- and 12 cars of a CSX freight train derailed near Batavia, 40 miles east of Buffalo. The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is investigating to see if the wind was in part responsible.

Across the area surrounding Lake Erie, some schools were closed Thursday as damage was assessed and power company crews were brought in from surrounding states. The Buffalo area's NYSEG power company said it would be Saturday before all its customers regained electricity. Detroit's DTE Energy made similar predictions, adding that power restoration estimates would be made public on Thursday.

The windstorm was the leading edge of a cold front which is expected to bring snow to the area by the weekend.