Local utility companies are still working today to restore power to residents in Jackson County and surrounding areas, five days after winds from Hurricane Ike battered the state.

Wind gusts up to 60 mph knocked down trees and power lines Sunday, leaving as many as 400,000 Hoosiers without electricity.

Jennings County Schools were called off for a fourth consecutive day today because of power outages and school officials had already canceled classes for Friday. Scottsburg schools also were closed again today and Austin and Crothers-ville Community Schools were on a 2-hour delay.

As of this morning, Duke Energy was down to 340 customers without power in the Seymour district, said Chip Orben, Duke's business relations manager.
"We are in much better shape today and we anticipate having everyone back on by midnight tonight," he said.

Out of the 340 customers still without electricity, Orben said 200 were in North Vernon.

"We have made great progress in the last 24 hours," Orben said of installing new lines and restoring power.

In Seymour, Orben said most everyone should have power, although there may be a few isolated cases that will take more time, he added.

"When we get down to only a few customers here and there, then the process becomes more work intensive," he said. "But we are happy with our progress and appreciate our customers' patience through this ordeal. The weather has really helped out this week."

Jed Wheatley, general manager of Jackson County REMC in Brownstown, said employees are working hard to get customers' power back on as quickly as they can.

"We're still looking at around 600 customers without power in our whole service area," Wheatley said. "Restoration efforts are now focused on some major line sections that remain off and on individual services."

In addition to the broken wire and damaged facilities, Wheatley said, about 40 broken poles still need to be replaced.

"Given the magnitude of the damages, we expect the work to run through the weekend," he said. "All available resources are being utilized, including eight additional outside utility crews and contractors."