Thousands try to beat the heat

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Dayton Power and Light reports that more than 75,000 customers are still without electricity. While 1,000 DP & L employees are out in the field working to restore service, customers who are still without power are doing their best to beat the heat.

Wind gusts in excess of 70 MPH knocked down power lines and left trees tangled in wires causing extensive damage, according to Dayton Power and Light. At the height of the storm, there were 175,000 customers in the dark, according to the company.

"It was rough because you couldn't sleep. It was like you just couldn't breath so I was up most of the night," says Mark Wentworth.

And the lack of electricity has some people thinking about making changes.

"As much as they charge you for electric, they ought to be able to get on this stuff a little sooner. I think I'm real close to using a windmill, some solar panels, I'm really serious about that," explains Wentworth.

But others are looking on the brightside.

"It could be worse. It could've been like the windstorm a few years ago when people were without power for weeks," comments Thaddeus Brittain.

So, his family was ready this time.

"We kind of put together an emergency kit after the windstorm three years ago.5:56:46//edit//5:56:48 lanterns, flashlights, flares, MRES, things like that. We'll just have to roll with the punches," explains Brittain.

Dayton Power and Light anticipates that 95% of the 175-thousand customers affected by Friday night's storms will have power again by Wednesday night.

If you need to report a line down or power outage, call DP&L at (877) 468-8243.