Delmarva Power reported about 1,700 customers without power Tuesday morning, compared to about 8,400 Monday evening. The vast majority of customers without service were in Sussex County, with about 200 more in Caroline County, Md.
The Delaware Electric Cooperative, which mainly serves southern Delaware, reported about 2,900 customers without power, down from about 7,600 customers Monday morning.
Winter weather affecting poultry industry
Delmarva's poultry industry is feeling the effects of the weekend snow storm that blasted the region.
University of Delaware extension specialist Bill Brown says at least a dozen poultry houses in Delaware and on Maryland's Eastern Shore have collapsed under the weight of snow. The snow also has interrupted feed and propane deliveries, putting chickens at risk of dying from hunger or exposure.
Brown says the loss of buildings and chickens can be measured in the millions of dollars, and another snowstorm arriving Tuesday could make matters worse.
Delaware's agriculture secretary is urging growers to try to get snow off of the roofs of their poultry houses, but Brown says farm workers should not jeopardize their safety to try to save chickens.
