May take days for some to have their power restored

A record-number of people have lost their power across the region thanks to a significant ice storm and power officials warn it could be days before everyone has their electricity back.

PECO Energy, the largest power provider in the Philadelphia region, tells NBC10.com outages experienced over the course of the storm and its aftermath are creeping toward 700,000 customers. Officials say that’s record levels for a winter storm.

A PECO spokesperson, which has about 1.6 million customers in six Pa. counties, says snapped power lines, icy trees and cars crashing into utility poles are the main cause of outages for their customers.

PECO expects it to take days to get everyone’s electricity service back online. In the most heavily damaged areas, some people may have to wait through the weekend to have their power restored, officials said.

PECO has requested mutual aid from other power companies, Pa. Gov. Tom Corbett said. The company has asked for an additional 500 line crews to help repair downed lines.