1 week after Fiona, 31,000 on P.E.I. still without power

CBC P.E.I. continues to focus on the aftermath of Fiona. If your data or internet is limited, click here for the CBC Lite version of the P.E.I. site.

It's been one week since post-tropical storm Fiona slammed Prince Edward Island, leaving decades-old trees snapped in half, many properties damaged beyond repair and 82,000 Maritime Electric customers without power.

And while many streets have been cleared, aid packages have been announced and schools are set to reopen Monday, just under 31,000 households and businesses are still without power as of 9 a.m., according to Maritime Electric's Outage Map.

And while extra crews have been brought in from other provinces, some communities will still be without power throughout the weekend and longer, Maritime Electric spokeswoman Kim Griffin said in a media briefing Friday afternoon.

The province has been holding daily media briefings with Griffin, Premier Dennis King and Tanya Mullally, the director responsible for the Emergency Measures Organization.

No formal media briefings are scheduled for this weekend, according to a spokesperson for the province.

Access P.E.I. locations will be open Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon to assist Islanders recovering from the impacts of Fiona. Islanders who need help cutting fallen trees on their property or moving large debris curbside because it is a safety hazard can call 1-833-734-1873 or email fionacleanup@gov.pe.ca to have their name put on a list for assistance.

As well, the P.E.I. government is offering payments of $250 per household to help cover the cost of food, gas and other basic needs.

Residents can apply online through the Canadian Red Cross or by calling 1-800-863-6582 daily between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The government is also granting a 30-day grace period on the expiration of driver's licenses and motor vehicle registrations.

Public events for P.E.I.'s fourth annual Treaty Day have been cancelled Saturday. The signing of a memorandum of understanding on treaty education, scheduled for Saturday between Premier King and Chiefs Darlene Bernard and Junior Gould as part of the provincial government's commitment to work together with the P.E.I. Mi'kmaq has also been delayed.