Lights coming back on

TIGNISH - Power is slowly being restored across Prince Edward Island five days after a fierce freezing rain storm forced over 22,000 Maritime Electric customers into the dark.
By late Thursday, well over half of those 22,000 customers had heat and lights restored.
But that meant about 8,400 customers had to bear another night in the dark as temperatures dipped to -13 C.
Meanwhile, P.E.I.'s plight has caught the attention of Canadians from coast-to-coast.
Alberta, Ontario and neighbouring provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have all contacted the province offering help.
"I received a personal call last night from the minister of public safety for Alberta. They were willing to send a plane with whatever we needed,'' said Carolyn Bertram, the minister responsible for public safety in Prince Edward Island.
"I guess that's being a Canadian. We would be doing the same, if our neighbours needed help.''
At this point, added Bertram, the province is doing OK.
But if the wind storm that blew into the province early Thursday morning had caused additional damage the province would have been prepared to call for additional help, including calling in the army.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay has put forces at CFB Gagetown on alert that they may be needed to help the province cope with an ice storm that has left some Islanders unplugged for up to five days.
At the height of the storm nearly 95 per cent of the Island was without power.
Progress is being made, but Maritime Electric is warning it may be the weekend before everybody gets their power restored.
The utility is also keeping a close eye on the weather forecast as snow and more freezing rain are expected to hit the province late Friday and Saturday.
Premier Robert Ghiz and Carolyn Bertram toured the hardest-hit areas Thursday, meeting with Islanders who have been forced to take refuge in emergency shelters.
That tour included stops along the north shore and in western P.E.I.
Ghiz said he wanted to get out and not only meet those who have been affected by the power outages, but also say thank you to those who have come to the aid of Islanders in need.
"We're telling people that we're doing what we can,'' Ghiz said during an interview from the emergency shelter in Tignish.
"What I've seen is the incredible community here in Prince Edward Island, people working together. I really want to thank all the volunteers, all the firefighters, all the people in these relief centres that have been helping out in these difficult times.
"Some of these areas have been without power for two to three days.''
Emergency shelters will remain open across the province. Most will stay open until everybody's power is restored in their community.
Elmer Arsenault, chairman of Tignish community council, said his community is coping. Seven people stayed at the fire hall overnight Wednesday. Up to 75 people dropped by for breakfast, lunch or supper.
A refrigerated truck was available for anybody who had food in their freezers.