"We are all patiently waiting:" Thousands still in the dark after Monday's strong storms



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Strong storms pushed across the state on Monday evening, June 30th, and there wasn't much calm after them. There was plenty of cleanup work to be done after the storms toppled trees and power lines -- and left as many as 120,000 people in the dark. The storms created the largest power outage We Energies has seen since 2005 -- and many were still in the dark on Tuesday, July 1st.

We Energies crews have restored service to more than 108,000 customers since Monday night. This, as of 10:00 p.m. Tuesday.

We Energies says the number of customers that were impacted by the storm was more than 120,000.

As of late Tuesday evening, We Energies says about 12,000 customers are without power, mostly in Waukesha and Milwaukee counties.

Absent additional severe weather, these are the current estimates for restoration:


    As We Energies crews work specific outages in these communities, they will update the restoration estimate for specific customers affected.

    The information can be obtained through our automated system by calling 1-800-662-4797.

    We Energies officials have extra crews working to get everybody back online.

    On Tuesday, Johnny Miller and his neighbors were still without power. But instead of waiting for the power to come back on -- Miller was working to clean up the neighborhood.

    "Looks like a two mega-ton bomb hit this area," Miller said.

    Miller says he and his neighbors are hopeful power will be restored soon.

    "We are all patiently waiting because people got food in the refrigerators and we've got babies here that need cooled and the air conditioners need to be on," Miller said.

    "I've never seen this happen before. Groceries, food -- everything is going to be starting to melt soon," neighbor David Staples said.

    We Energies crews are working as fast as Monday's storm.

    "70 mile-per-hour winds -- really the damage came as result of lines being blown down or trees or tree branches coming in contact with the wires," We Energies spokesman Barry McNulty said.

    As far as priority in handling all of the outages, We Energies says the jobs they do first are those that will bring back power to the most customers. Hospitals and schools are also high priority.

    "We definitely want to work as swiftly as possible, but we want to work smart and safe," McNulty said.

    The goal is to have everyone back online by late Wednesday night.

    CLICK HERE to view the We Energies Outage Map.