Lingering power outages amid extreme heat after last week's storm left major damage in Philly region
Straight line winds of 60 to 70 miles per hour did major damage in the area, and knocked out power to thousands
RADNOR, Pa. (WPVI) -- The heat and humidity will only be getting worse Tuesday, with the thermometer expected to hit 100 degrees, which AccuWeather says will feel more like 110.
The dangerously high temperatures are especially bad for those who lost power in last Thursday's storms.
PECO made significant progress to restore power overnight Monday.
Action News got an update from a utility spokesperson Tuesday morning, who said all but a few hundred customers are back online from Thursday's outage and finally able to crank up the AC.
It's been an extra challenge for neighbors still without power amid this week's heat wave.
According to PECO, thousands of customers are waiting for the lights to come back on as they cope with Monday's sweltering temperatures.
Chopper 6 was live over the city's Fox Chase section as PECO crews made repairs along Pine Road.
Some residents said they were calling in their own tree removal services because it was taking too long to get help!
"It's kind of reminiscent of Hurricane Sandy," Katherine Buckley, from Radnor. "It reminds me of being without power all of that time. "
Straight line winds of 60 to 70 miles per hour did major damage in the area Thursday night, knocking out power to thousands.
Radnor resident, Ron Vogrin, told Action News on Monday that he has been without power since Thursday night.
"I got a message it would be done by Friday night, then Saturday night, then finally 11 o'clock last night. But it didn't happen. It didn't happen," said Vogrin.
Some are relying on generators, but the excessive heat expected this week has residents very concerned.
"Incredibly frustrating," Buckle added. "Mostly from the perspective of trying to keep everyone calm. It's going to get incredibly hot, so I am getting a little nervous about the inside air temperature of our house [and] the ability to keep up with it. Super frustrated."
At the Crum Creek Condos in Nether Providence, Delaware County, nearly 200 residents are still without power. Some are sticking it out at home, while others are hotel bound to beat the heat.
"Thursday, apparently they lost power, then it came back on, so this outage is from [Sunday] night at 7 o'clock," said Joe Myers, who is in charge of maintenance at the complex.
Residents can't even use their pool to cool off because the pump system is down.
A generator is providing power to emergency lighting and an elevator.
"Just trying to keep people safe in this heat, that's all I can do," said Myers.
As PECO works to restore power, there's concern that damaged trees could drop limbs onto power lines, like one on Radnor Chester Road.
There are crews from nine states who are here to assist PECO and to get customers back online as quickly as possible.
