ST. IGNACE, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The weather is no joke in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

Monday marks the second day of an historic winter storm and blizzard. After a brief break overnight, winds and snow are expected to pick up again. Residents could see wind gusts of up to 60 mph along Lake Superior.

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In addition, many residents are without power. This power outage website listed who’s in the dark as of Monday morning.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). She ordered the closure of all nonessential state office buildings across 15 Upper Peninsula counties and 13 counties in northern Michigan.

Also, state officials are warning residents to stay off the roads. If travel is essential, make sure a winter emergency kit is in the vehicle.

Watch this video recorded from a Michigan News Source reporter’s dash cam on Sunday afternoon and you’ll see why.

State Senator Michele Hoitenga (R-Manton) said Consumers Energy conferred with Northern Michigan legislators and explained why Whitmer’s activation of the SEOC is significant.

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“From my experience, these rare calls indicate that weather conditions are escalating to a point where they have the potential to significantly impact our constituents,” Hoitenga wrote.