Groton Utilities hopes to have the lights back on for all of its 12,600 customers by this evening, according to Herb Cummings, Groton Utilities manager of electric.

The municipally-owned power company has already made significant progress reaching that goal. From a peak of about 6,000 homes without power, line crews have reduced that number to about 250 customers as of noon Wednesday.

“We think that almost everybody will be restored by 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. tonight,” Cummings said. “We’re doing everything we can.”

There are some homes with damage that may need work done by an electrician, Cummings said.

Hard hit areas included Groton Long Point, which was completely out in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.  At 1 p.m. Wednesday, there were still 180 of the 556 total Groton Long Point customers without power.  Cummings said several utility poles on Groton Long Point were left leaning by the storm surge.  Parts of Shennecossett Road also sustained damage with trees and wires down.

Cummings said Groton Utilities had called in help from utility crews in Vermont.

For more information visit www.grotonutilities.com or the The City of Groton’s new Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/City-of-Groton-Government/129853233829217.