Thousands of people remain without power Monday after massive storms battered the Mid-Atlantic coast and several states over the weekend. And now, local electrical crews are heading to those areas to try and help the response effort.

PPL Electric Utilities has released 33 employees to Williamsport, Md. Sunday morning to aid First Energy with storm response efforts. Officials with PPL say that crews are prepared to stay 'several days' due to the severe damage done by storms in the area.

On top of those crews, PPL has made over 150 of its contractors available to relieve efforts in Maryland, as wells as Virgina and Delaware, according to officials.

The much needed assistance is a key part of the partnership between electric providers in the Mid Atlantic Consortium of electric utilities, which allows providers to get help following storms or other damaging events.

“We were fortunate to receive significant assistance from utilities in other states during the severe storms we experienced last year, particularly Hurricane Irene and the late October snowstorm. Hundres of utility workers helped us on those occasions, and I know how much their work was appreciated by our customers during those unusual events,” said Gregory Dudkin, president for PPL electric Utilities. “With our dedicated employees and contractors, we are pleased to return the favor and help restore power to so many who rely upon it during this heat wave.”

PPL says that even with helping neighboring state's recovery efforts, the main focus of the company will be providing service to its nearly 1.4 million customers across the Lehigh Valley and surrounding regions, according to officials.