Weeklong Blackout Causes Struggle in Wayne County

It's been a long week along Nevin Road without the everyday convenience of power we all take for granted. Hurricane Sandy's winds hit Wayne County hard downing trees and power lines and sending residents reeling.

It is hardship alone not having electricity for lights and appliances. It's even worse when you need the power for water. "We haven't had water or... or lights. And we have a well so we need power to get water. So, it's terrible," said Bernadette Harrison who lives on Nevin Road. Mr Rath added, "No power, No water. No... it's tough."

Their misfortune is made even more miserable after hearing more than 23,000 Wayne County PPL customers who lost power already had their service back. Utility crews worked tirelessly throughout the day on Monday along Route 507 trying to get the last of a couple hundred customers in Dreher Township back in service. Until then, families like the Raths must be resourceful. "We do as best as possible. We have a gas stove and we turn that on that God we have that and we take whatever we have in the freezer to eat for that day," said Iris Rath.

The Raths have also managed to make due on cold nights and chilly days. "I'm lucky I got a little bit of heat from my wood stove that I'm using on an emergency basis," said Mr. Rath. But their luck among other things was running out. "I'm running out of wood. I don't have any more wood," said Mr. Rath.

PPL managed to restore all of the power to Dreher Township by Monday Evening while only five customers in all of Wayne County began the night without electricity. PPL hoped to have them all back in service by the end of the night.