COPPER COUNTRY — Electricity remains out in several areas as the result of the ongoing winter storm that hit the area last night. According to the Upper Peninsula Power Company, more than 2,800 customers were without electricity as of 7 p.m. (EST). According to UPPCO’s Outage Center map, the largest concentration of residents without power appears to be in the Bootjack area extending to Jacobsville. However the map shows outages throughout Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga and Ontonagon Counties.

There have been numerous reports of trees falling on power lines, which accounts for many of the outages.

There are reports that electric service may not be restored any time soon. In response, several warming centers have been set up to offer shelter for those who have lost electricity and in many cases their source of home heating. According to a statement released by the Bootjack Fire and Rescue Foundation, Warming sites will be available from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Bootjack Fire Hall on Bootjack Road. Similar releases have been sent out by the Chassell Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Chassell Medical First Responders who have opened up the Fire hall in Chassell and the Quincy-Franklin-Hancock Township Fire hall on Sunshine Road. The Quincy-Franklin. The statement said the fire hall has a generator

These sites will serve food, charge electronic devices and support other needs that community members have have. The statement asks people to check on their neighbors and reach out if the need arises.