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Frustrations Mount As Power Outages Stretch On For Thousands In Md.

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — In our area, tens of thousands are still without fans or air conditioning.

Mike Schuh reports crews work around the clock to get the power back on.

Right on the city/county line, the roadway is three-car-widths wide, but BGE  cut a pathway only big enough to fit the width of their trucks. They're making these kinds of decisions to quickly get the job done and get on to the next job.

In from Mississippi, we got an aerial view from Harry Waldrup's bucket truck. We went up as high as it took us, looked out at the south side of BWI and saw a view of just some of the out-of-state crews lining up to head out. There's another lot just like it in Middle River.

The heat has been a factor for the linemen, some more than others.

"This is warm, but it's hot back home. We got about 98 percent humidity and 101. It feels like a wet, hot blanket wrapped around you," said Waldrup, Mississippi Power.

In North Baltimore, a mix of tree cutters and outside crews are working two jobs to restore more than 150 people.

"Seems like we could flip a switch 'cause when they see us do that that's when the lights come back on. Unfortunately, it usually takes quite a few hours to get to that point," said Jessee Palmisano, BGE crew leader.

It's the same story everywhere we go. They have enough linemen but there are so many trees down, and that's what's taking the time.

High winds brought down the trees on the lines. Those same gusts blew a tree into Saundra Buck's home.

"I'm going to be 70 this month. I spent Saturday and Sunday trying to get in my front door. I'm exhausted," Buck said.

Her outage is complicated by the tree. Special tree cutters are being called, and heavy trucks can't get to the backyards to reset the poles.

It all adds up to long, long days.

Schuh: "What's your work day today?

Palmisano: "6 a.m. to 10 p.m."

Schuh: "What about yesterday?"

Palmisano: "6 a.m. to 10 p.m."

Schuh: "The day before?"

Palmisano:  "6 a.m. to 10 p.m."

Schuh: "How about tomorrow?"

Palmisano: "6 a.m. to 10 p.m."

As of Thursday, 100 more out-of-state crews arrived to help with the restoration process.

BGE crews have been told that they will be on special storm duty throughout the weekend.

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