Findlay, Ohio -
Eighty-nine year old Doris Borchent describes the last few days without electricity as harrowing, but Friday afternoon, crews were right in her backyard and gave her the good news that power had been restored.
"I'm just thankful to get it all over with, and everybody has done a wonderful job," said Borchent of Findlay.
However, after nearly a week without power, others weren't so positive.
Mandy Myercord stayed at a hotel to keep out of the heat. Her power returned last night. She moved to Findlay from Houston and says the response to Hurricane Ike cleanup there was faster than the restoration efforts here.
"Reliant Energy restored power within less than a week. This is ridiculous," said Meyercord.
American Electric Power officials say they've brought in crews from as far away as Texas and the Dakotas, and they're working 16 hour days.
"We're trying our best to get there as quick as we can. My power just came back on yesterday, so I know what the people are dealing with," said Jon Dishong, AEP line crew supervisor.
Ninety percent of power is expected to be restored by Friday night, 100 percent by Saturday night.
Officials say crews have been in Findlay since Friday, and the delay in restoration is because of the extensive damage.
"Our system is being rebuilt as opposed to being repaired, and once those repairs are done then the distribution can come back, and it will come back pretty smoothly," said Shelly Clark, AEP Corporate Communications.
Until then line crews will continue their long days in the heat working to meet the Saturday evening deadline.
