Without power, many schools closed on Monday, Tuesday

Wake County schools will be closed Monday as power crews continue to work around the clock to get electricity restored to homes and classrooms. Traditional calendar students will make up for the lost day on Oct. 31, and year-round students will make up for it on Saturday.

Among the almost half million North Carolina customers without power Sunday night, the Wake County community of Wendell was one of the hardest hit.

A transformer serving the town blew Saturday during Hurricane Matthew, and early every home and business remained in the dark 24 hours later.

Utility repair crews worked all day and into the evening to restore power. In Wendell and many areas across the state, the job was complicated by downed trees which had to be removed before electrical work could begin.

"It's time consuming, but we have to do it safely," said Roy Nobles, a foreman for Pike Energy.

Across Wake County, Matthew upended century-old oak trees, crushing homes and stopping cars in their tracks.

“The trees are pretty bad that are down. I mean, they’re huge,” said resident Jessica Mara.

Mara was out with her two kids for a quick errand near Cameron Village when she learned classes would be canceled Monday.

“I think it’s good, safety wise, if there are certain schools where the kids otherwise would be going and be in danger on a bus,” Mara said.

Parents like Mara were scrambling to find childcare as many school districts said the roads are still too dangerous to send kids to class.

Richard Warr’s two high schoolers were thrilled for a surprise storm day, even if they have to live without power for a while longer.

“We’ve been playing some games, hanging out, picking up sticks. It’s been pretty good,” Warr said.

Both Gov. Pat McCrory and power crews said it could likely take until later this week or even the weekend before the all debris are cleared and power is restored to everyone.