Photo: Christine_Kohler / iStock / Getty Images
Electricity is nearly fully restored in the Midstate after severe storms over the Fourth of July weekend caused widespread outages. As of Thursday (July 9), around 500 customers in Cumberland and Lancaster counties are still waiting for power to return. Crews have been working tirelessly to restore electricity to the hundreds of thousands affected across Pennsylvania.
According to WGAL, PPL Electric Utilities reported that the outages, which initially affected over 125,000 customers, have been reduced significantly. Met-Ed also reported progress, with service expected to be fully restored by Tuesday. The storms caused significant damage, including downed trees and power lines, particularly in the Stroudsburg area.
ABC27 reported that Lancaster County was one of the hardest-hit areas, with thousands initially without power. Crews from Canada and other regions have been assisting with the restoration efforts. PPL is offering a reimbursement program for ice and water to affected customers.
Despite the progress, some areas, like Dickinson Township in Cumberland County, still face challenges due to the extent of the damage. PennLive noted that the combination of extreme heat and storm damage has complicated restoration efforts. Crews are working around the clock to ensure power is restored as safely and quickly as possible.