Ferris State University is temporarily relocating about 500 students after storm-related damage caused power outages affecting two residence halls, West Campus Apartments and several other campus facilities.

Campus leaders said power in the living spaces is expected to be out at least through the weekend, as many repair crews in the state are responding to Northern Michigan communities affected by the recent ice storms.

Buildings on the Ferris State campus lost power around 10 p.m. Wednesday night as high winds and heavy rains swept through the region.

Students in Cramer Hall, Bond Hall, and the West Campus Apartments are affected. Cramer and Bond hall students will be able to stay in vacant rooms in other residence halls and potentially other locations. West Campus Apartments can be relocated if needed.

“Unexpected emergencies happen, and we are responding quickly because our first concern is the safety of our students,” President Bill Pink said. “On our campus and in our community, we take care of each other.”

Affected students who do not have meal plans will be able to have meals at the university’s Rock Café during the outage.

The campus will post information at ferris.edu/emergency as updates are available.

Power will likely be restored to several other campus buildings, including the College of Pharmacy, the College of Health Professions, the Department of Public Safety and the Early Learning Center by Friday.

_{Release and photo courtesy of Ferris State University.}