Residents, crews brave record temperatures to clean up storm damage

FRANKLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Record-high temperatures weren't going to stop We Energies crews from getting to work Tuesday, June 14, as 500 personnel from the electric company from all across the state worked to restore power to an estimated 50,000 customers who lost power after storms rolled through the region Monday night.

"We're getting people in as quickly as we can," said Brendan Conway, media relations manager with We Energies. "These men and women are working incredibly hard. They're dedicated to their job. They want to get the power back on and they're not going to stop until it is."

Conway said as of 2:00 on Tuesday, roughly 90-percent of those impacted had their power restored. The rest of those still impacted were set to have power restored or their case assigned by 7 p.m. Tuesday night.

"That means they could still be out of power for a little bit as crews work, but once there is a sign, there's a crew dedicated, they know we're there and we're going to take care of it," Conway said. "We're not going to stop until everyone has their power restored."

Over 1,000 people were left without power in a neighborhood in Franklin after We Energies says a 70-foot tree came crashing down on a power line.

"The power for the whole neighborhood comes across these wires, and when they go, the whole neighborhood goes," explained Dan Ellenbecker, who has lived in the neighborhood with his wife, Dorthy, for decades.

"It's happened quite a few times, but not this bad," added Dorothy.

Both say they are grateful to the tree removal and electric crews for braving the heat to help clean up the mess and get the power turned back on.

"So grateful -- 100%," Dorothy said. "These are the best people out here working and we're very thankful."

"You kind of take the power for granted until you have to do without it," Dan added.

For a live look at power outages across the region, CLICK HERE.