PUNA, Hawaii: An estimated 40 customers in Puna remain without power as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, reports the Hawaii Electric Light Company. Power is expected to be restored for these customers by tomorrow.

HELCO crews restored power to approximately 260 customers in portions of Nānāwale, Leilani Estates, and a “few pocket outages in the Puna area”, the utility reported in an evening media release.

From Friday evening through Sunday morning, Hawai‘i Island was impacted by wind gusts of up to 50 mph in some areas. The winds toppled trees, blocked roadways, and damaged utility infrastructure, primarily in the Puna area. About 17,000 customers around the island experienced power interruptions or outages at one time or another. Crews from Hilo, Kona and Waimea have been working to restore power since Friday evening.

Hawai‘i Electric Light advises the community to be cautious of trees that could be weakened by the high winds. Weakened trees or their branches can fall after a storm has passed, and this could cause new power interruptions.

Always treat downed power lines as energized and dangerous. Do not handle or move any fallen or damaged utility equipment. If someone is injured by a downed power line, do not approach them. Call 9-1-1 for assistance. To report a downed power line or outage, please call 969-6666.HELCO media release on Feb. 17, 2015