WSBT photo

WSBT photo (July 4, 2012)

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — Utility officials say crews may have to work into the weekend to completely restore electricity to thousands of homes and businesses following a storm that toppled trees and power lines in the Fort Wayne area.

Indiana Michigan Power says power was restored to all but 15,500 customers in the Allen County area by noon Wednesday. That's 81 percent of those affected.

Utility spokesman David Mayne says the storm likely will cost the company more than $12 million for replacing broken utility poles, repairing power line damage and paying overtime wages and living expenses for out-of-town work crews.

That cost would be higher than that of the ice storm that hit Fort Wayne in 2008.