20 days after Fiona, fewer than 500 Maritime Electric customers without power
CBC
It's now been nearly three weeks since Fiona knocked out power to P.E.I., and utility crews are continuing to restore power to those still waiting.
Overnight, the number on the Maritime Electric outage map dropped by more than 100 to 450 as of 8 a.m.
Spokesperson Kim Griffin told CBC News Wednesday that they are on target to see most customers restored by Friday.
Meanwhile, Islanders with disabilities, especially those with mobility issues, have had a difficult few weeks since Fiona hit.
Many people who rely on relatives or home care were on their own because no one could get to their homes. Some who rely on technology like electric wheelchairs couldn't even get out of bed.
"Not everybody lives on the ground floor that's in a chair," said Glen Flood, executive director of Spinal Cord Injuries P.E.I.
"Once the power goes down, your elevators aren't working if you're in a sky rise or any type of dwelling such as that."
Flood said he's heard a lot of eye-opening stories from people and he is still getting phone calls about the challenges.
He said one solution is a central list for emergency responders to be able to check on people with disabilities during events like Fiona.
Some Islanders in financial need are still waiting on Fiona relief payments from the Red Cross.
The organization is trying to streamline that process.
P.E.I. Red Cross director Bill Lawlor said they are using surveys of registered Islanders to determine who will get $500 in relief money.
"We've asked for things like your ability to carry on about your daily activities, how has this impacted you from a financial perspective," said Lawlor.
Only households with the greatest need will get the $500, based on their answers to these kinds of questions.