More U.S. mid-Atlantic residents had electricity restored over the Independence Day holiday, five days after a freak violent storm cut power to more than 4 million households and businesses during a severe heatwave. The number without electricity was falling Thursday, but not quickly enough for those in the sweltering heat. More than 500,000 customers were still without power, including almost 230,000 in West Virginia. Officials have blamed the Friday evening storms and the subsequent lack of electricity for 26 deaths. Meanwhile, a new round of summer storms was moving across Michigan and Ohio, disrupting power. Wind gusts above 97 kilometers per hour were reported as storms crossed Michigan, the National Weather Service said. In Ohio, downed power lines prompted the closure of a major highway near Columbus. It was reopened Thursday morning.
