We Energies: Power restored to more than 35,000 customers after powerful storms



WEST ALLIS/WAUKESHA (WITI) -- Early Tuesday morning, June 17th strong storms caused numerous power outages. We Energies says it has restored power to more than 35,000 customers since Monday night. As of late Tuesday afternoon, about 1,300 remained without power.

Piece by piece, limb by limb, crews worked to remove two fallen ash trees from a backyard near 77th and Cleveland in West Allis Tuesday.

"Around 12:30, we heard a big crash and the power went out and it was just restored within the last hour and obviously it was because of this giant tree that  came down in our yard and took out the power lines," Jeanette Ferenz said.

Ferenz' garage was damaged when the trees fell, but she's just happy the power is back on.

"It`s nice because I have an 81-year-old mother and she`s getting a little warm in there without the air running so it`s been a little steamy today," Ferenz said.

This was just one of the many problems We Energies crews faced on Tuesday.

Across southeastern Wisconsin, powerful storms left more than 35,000 customers without power.

Throughout the day, power returned to most of those homes -- a welcome sight for families worried about the potential cost of a lengthy outage.

"I just went grocery shopping a couple days ago and have a full freezer full of meat so I was hoping power would come on so we could keep the meat," Jennifer Komp said.

We Energies crews were also hard at work in Waukesha, repairing power outages there.

"Mother Nature can definitely throw a wrench in things. We`re constantly keeping an eye on the weather forecast. Right now, our crews are able to make good headway. The sun`s shining and there`s no inclement weather, but certainly, they`re keeping an eye on the forecast," We Energies spokeswoman Cathy Schulze said.

We Energies asks that if you are experiencing a power outage -- you give them a call at 800-662-4797 to report the outage and receive specific updates.

Click here for tips about what to do during a power outage.

CLICK HERE to view the We Energies Outage Map.