AKRON, Ohio, May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Service restoration efforts continue for customers of FirstEnergy electric utility companies who were affected by a series of storms that moved through northern Ohio and western Pennsylvania on Friday and early Saturday, May 21 and 22. In total, the storms interrupted service to some 400,000 customers. By 10:00 a.m. Sunday, service had been restored to more than 372,000 customers.

Less than 18,000 Ohio Edison customers remain without power in Akron, Kent, Youngstown, Salem, Alliance and Warren. Many are expected to be back in service by tonight -- particularly in the Akron and Alliance areas -- with some extending into Monday night or early Tuesday morning. Approximately 10,000 Illuminating Company customers without power -- primarily in the Miles, Strongsville and Solon areas -- are expected to be back in service by midnight tonight.

Water and ice are available through today to customers without electricity at the following locations.

Akron:

Acme #2

2420 Wedgewood Drive

Akron, OH

Hudson:

Acme #4

116 W. Streetsboro Road

Kent:

Acme #7

1709 State Rt. 59

Youngstown:

Giant Eagle

Approximately 135 line crews and 100 service crews from Ohio Edison and The Illuminating Company are being assisted by more than 100 crews from other FirstEnergy utility companies and outside contractors. Additional dispatchers and more than 200 hazard responder crews - employees trained to secure hazardous areas and help dispatch crews to the areas with the most significant damage -- have been brought in from other FirstEnergy companies.

Crews have already made repairs at more than 11,000 locations. The company estimates that storms damaged hundreds of poles and spans of wire.

Customers should contact the company or their local police or fire department to report downed power lines, and are cautioned to never touch downed lines, because they may still be carrying electricity. Customers should never try to remove trees or tree limbs from power lines. They should wait for utility crews to arrive.

Other tips for customers without power include:

-- Call 1-888-544-4877 (1-888-LIGHTSS) to report your outage - it's the

fastest way to begin the restoration process.

-- Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer. A full freezer can keep

food frozen for up to three days if it's kept closed.

-- Disconnect major appliances until after the power has been restored.

Keep one light connected so you will know when the power is back on.

-- Close blinds or draperies to keep rooms cool. SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.