However, some of those "Friday night lights" may not be working, so the state's largest public school system also has postponed Friday's football games until Monday evening.
For many, Friday was the sixth day in the dark following the hit Ohio took from remnants of Hurricane Ike on Sunday.
WEB EXTRA: AEP Restoration Maps:
NW Columbus
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NE Columbus
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SW Columbus
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SE Columbus
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Delaware-area
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How Are You Coping This Week?
As of 10:45 a.m. Friday, American Electric Power said that 34,021 Ohio customers still have no power, 9.2 percent of the total. The outages continued to affect about 12.4 percent of its 506,000 customers in Franklin County, including Columbus.
Gov. Ted Strickland wrote a letter Wednesday requesting that the federal government declare a state of emergency in Ohio and provide about $7 million in recovery assistance.
Utilities hoped to restore power to those still coping without it on Thursday, but some could be in the dark until the weekend.
Power restoration was delayed because damage from the hurricane-force winds was unprecedented for the region and required companies to call in crews from other states to help, utilities said. In some cases, Ohio-based crews were recalled from Texas and other southern states after having been sent there to help with Ike's aftermath.
The hurricane is blamed for at least 50 deaths in 11 states from the Gulf Coast to Michigan. At least six deaths were reported in Ohio.
10TV was at a home in Upper Arlington when AEP crews rolled into the neighborhood. Maggie Bull said she was pleasantly surprised after spending several days in the dark.
"It looked like we wouldn't be getting our power back until probably Saturday," Bull said. "So it's wonderful to see the trucks coming here this morning."
Crews that arrived in the neighborhood received a warm welcome from children who handed out lemonade.
About 3,000 AEP crews have been working 16-hour shifts, and linesmen have repaired all of the 300 main circuits that went down in Sunday's storm, Kocot reported.
By late Thursday morning, crews repaired the lines near Bull's home and restored her family's power.
AEP's county-by-county breakdown of power outages includes:
Coshocton: 2,174 without power
Delaware: 5,529
Fairfield: 3,224
Franklin: 62,994
Hocking: 946
Knox: 5,383
Licking: 17,635
Muskingum: 3,331
Perry: 857
Richland: 1,182
Union: 333
To report outages to AEP, call AEP customer service at 800-277-2177.
The 10TV Newsroom is also receiving dismissals and closings for schools and businesses. Click here for the updated list.
Live Doppler 10 meteorologist Brandon Roux said that the next several days should be calm across central Ohio. Click for his updated forecast.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following frequently asked questions were provided by the City of Columbus:
Who do I call to report a power outage?
Columbus power customers without electricity should call 614-645-1518, 645-6174 or 615-7626. American Electric Power customers without power should call 800-277-2177.
What should I do when I see an inoperable traffic light?
Drive slowly and cautiously and treat all inoperative traffic lights as four-way stops.
What if I see a dangling power line?
Avoid all damaged power lines, and report them to 911. Citizens reporting non-emergency
service issues, such as a downed tree blocking a street, should call 614-645-3111.
How do I know if a downed line has already been reported?
If you see yellow, orange or red scene tape the fire department has already responded, there
is no need to call again. Call 911 if the wires are causing a fire.
How do I find out if my child's school is open tomorrow?
Columbus City Schools parents and students can call 614-365-8888 or go online at
www.columbus.k12.oh.us.
Are regular emergency services up and running?
Yes, citizens reporting any emergency should continue to call 911. Citizens reporting
non-emergency crimes should call 614-645-4545.
What do I do with tree limbs in my own yard?
Put yard waste in biodegradable bags near the curb for collection on your scheduled
collection day. Bundle sticks and tree limbs with twine or string-but keep bundles no more than
four feet long and two feet wide. Larger limbs must be cut up or collected by a private agency. Do
not risk serious injury by climbing trees or rooftops to cut limbs yourself if you are not a
professional. Yard waste can also be taken free of charge 7-3 to the City of Columbus Compost
Facility at 7000 Jackson Pike (S.R. 104). For hours and directions call the Compost Facility at
614-645-3153.
I have a generator. Is it safe to use?
If you have a generator, use it safely by keeping it outdoors or in a ventilated area.
What should I do for light indoors?
Use flashlights instead of candles whenever possible, and never leave a lit candle unattended
or within the reach of a child.
What if I need a temporary shelter?
Residents whose homes are uninhabitable due to severe damage should call the American Red
Cross at 614-251-1443.
How long can I keep my food?
Discard perishable food that has been in the refrigerator for eight hours since the power
went off and in the freezer for 24 hours since the loss of electricity. Previously cooked leftovers
should be discarded after four hours in a closed refrigerator. Perishables are unsafe for
consumption at temperatures higher than 41 degrees. Licensed food markets, restaurants, delis and
other food service operations utilizing commercial refrigeration equipment are advised to monitor
internal food temperatures. Food items that reach 41F or higher must be cooked and served within 4
hours of reaching that temperature, or they are considered unsafe and must be discarded.
How about medicine that I keep refrigerated?
Ask your pharmacist.
Should I continue to use water regularly?
Conserve water as much as possible, especially in three areas: North of Dublin-Granville Road (State Route 161) between Dublin and New Albany; Portions of Hilliard north of Scioto Darby Road and northwest of Cemetery and Avery Roads; the City of Reynoldsburg. Residents in those areas are asked to limit water usage by not watering their lawns, turning off water while brushing their teeth and taking shorter showers.
I have power. What can I do to help?
Check in on neighbors without power, especially senior citizens or those with health
problems. Help clear debris from streets, yards and sidewalks in your neighborhood.
Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
