PPL Electric Utilities crews are working to restore electric service in parts of northeastern Pennsylvania hit by a damaging ice storm today (1/6).

As of 4 p.m., about 91,000 customers were without power. Nearly all of the power outages were in an area that includes Schuylkill, Luzerne, Carbon and Monroe counties. Since 9 a.m. Thursday, crews had restored power to about 17,000 customers.

"Conditions really started to deteriorate about midday in northeastern Pennsylvania," said Robert M. Geneczko, vice president for Customer Service with PPL Electric Utilities. "Reports indicate a significant build-up of ice on tree limbs and power lines. We have been receiving calls about power outages steadily throughout the afternoon."

All local crews are responding to customer calls, Geneczko noted. PPL Electric Utilities also has moved crews from other areas, unaffected by the ice, to northeastern Pennsylvania. In addition, the company has requested and is receiving help from neighboring utilities.

"We will be working around the clock until every customer is back in service," Geneczko said. "But with reports of damage still coming in, we are projecting that it could be late Friday or early Saturday before we are able to restore power in all areas."

Earlier on Thursday, the ice storm caused several outages in central Pennsylvania, west of Sunbury. Crews have been working on those outages throughout the day and expect to have all customers in that area back in service by Thursday night.

PPL Electric Utilities is working with emergency management agencies in the affected counties. In areas that may be without electric service for more than 24 hours, PPL employees are calling customers to update them on expected restoration times and make them aware of special free services the company is providing, such as drinking water and ice to help preserve food.

With a number of wires on the ground because of the storm, PPL Electric Utilities reminds everyone to stay far away from wires, even when they appear to be "dead." To report a downed wire, call toll-free 1-800-342-5775.