Region Struggles For Normalcy Days After Storms

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The mid-Atlantic region is struggling to get back to normal after deadly, power-cutting storms and a mid-week holiday.

Sweltering temperatures continued, with Wednesday's highs at 99 at Reagan National Airport, 97 at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and 96 at Dulles. None of the temperatures broke records, however.

Maryland issued a heat advisory for the entire state for Thursday, after issuing one for parts of the state for Wednesday.

Sweaty patrons were enjoying the Capitol Fourth Concert in D.C. Wednesday evening.

The death toll blamed on storms and the ensuing blackout across the eastern U.S. now stands at 26 after two accidents in Virginia.

Utility and municipal crews worked through the July 4 holiday to restore power and remove downed tree limbs. Cities made arrangements to help residents haul away storm debris.

Pepco said it had restored power to 90 percent of those affected by last week's storms, beating its own estimate for getting power back to customers. BGE said about 78,000 customers remained without power Wednesday evening.

Delmarva Power said it had restored power to all 84,000 customers who lost service after last week's storms; 911 service was fully restored in Falls Church, Va., Wednesday after being intermittently out since Friday's storm.

Normal operating procedures were in effect for federal employees on Wednesday, a holiday.

In D.C. all but two of the public schools will be open on Thursday. In Baltimore County, 16 public schools will remain closed Thursday because of lack of power. Four of Baltimore City's summer program sites have been relocated. Fourteen sites that were closed will reopen Thursday.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)