Excelsior Electric Membership Corporation spokesman Greg Brooks said most customers who have been without power since Hurricane Matthew rattled Bulloch County should have power restored by the end of the day Thursday.

Georgia Power representatives reported similar expectations, said Statesboro Herald business editor DeWayne Grice.

As of Tuesday night, 90 percent of Excelsior EMC's system had been restored, Brooks said. Wednesday morning, 1,491 residences and businesses in all of their coverage area ­— not just Bulloch County ­— were still without power, down from a high of approximately 21,000. By 3 p.m. Wednesday, the number of people with no power had been reduced drastically, to 663 locations in Bulloch.

Georgia Power reported 774 customers still did not have power Wednesday, but the company expected the majority of them would be restored Thursday.

"The (Excelsior EMC) workforce has exploded to 306 linemen, tree trimmers and others working in the field to get the lights back on," Brooks said. "This is 10 times Excelsior EMC's field workforce on a normal day."

In addition to Excelsior EMC employees, contract crews from all over the state and workers from 15 other Georgia electric cooperatives "from as far away as Cumming and as near as Lyons" have traveled to assist, he said.

Everyone has been working, going beyond their normal duties to get debris cleared and lines put back up.

"Excelsior EMC members have assisted line crews by doing such things as using their tractors to pull trees out of the way," Brooks said.

Georgia Power pulled volunteer crews from across the state and other companies from other states to help with storm recovery, filling the Statesboro Kiwanis fairgrounds with trucks and heavy equipment to serve as a staging area for linemen who have been working to repair downed lines in Bulloch County.

Stilson resident Edwin Akins said he saw Georgia Power crews working at 3:30 a.m. to clear pecan trees from downed power lines near his home Wednesday.

People posted on social media Wednesday, grateful for restored power, while some reported still being in the dark.

"This is the largest, most widespread outage in Excelsior EMC's 78-year history," said Excelsior EMC CEO Greg Proctor. "As of now, crews have replaced at least 120 broken poles. We'll probably replace more today.

"The amount of tree work is staggering. Our crews may have actually done more tree cutting than line repair. They've had to cut their way in to many sites before repairs could even begin."

Each company said power should be restored today, but there may be a few who have to wait a bit longer.

Brooks said residents should make sure the electric service entrance to their home is ready to be reconnected when crews arrive.

"If damage is suspected, members should get a licensed electrician to inspect and make repairs if necessary," he said.

Some damages may be out of the power companies' responsibility and lie with homeowners, he said.

Community in need gives back

While many local efforts by groups such as the Statesboro Food Bank, Christian Social Ministries, Fostering Bulloch and a host of other individuals and businesses have been feeding residents without power who lost food in freezers and refrigerators, the linemen and other workers who came to the area to help were not forgotten.

"The community has also stepped up to help in the aftermath of the destruction," Brooks said.

Bevrick's Char House Grille in Metter, normally only open for lunch and dinner, has fed the workers in that area, with breakfast at 5 a.m. and dinner as late as 10:30 p.m. The staff also prepares sack lunches that crews grab on the way out from their morning meal, he said.

The Candler County Emergency Management Agency organized 60 local citizens to help wash dirty laundry generated by the workers. The women wash and fold the garments, and Metter Fire-Rescue picks them up and delivers them to the co-op's office, he said.

Many Statesboro and Bulloch County restaurants and businesses have stepped forward to offer linemen discounts or free meals. Also, workers frequently get offers of food and drink from residents who are thrilled to see them in the neighborhood, he said.

Grice posted photos of various business signs in Statesboro on Wednesday expressing thanks to the responding linemen. One sign read, "God bless power linemen."

Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.