Crews work to restore power to thousands after SW Mo. ice storm

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- Utility crews are still working to restore power to thousands of people after an ice storm tore down electric lines in southwest Missouri.

City Utilities in Springfield said about 4,700 customers remain with electricity as of late Tuesday morning.

Empire District of Joplin said about 2,400 customers are without power. The majority of those are in the Ozark area just south of Springfield.

Both utilities have called in outside contractors to help their own line crews and tree trimmers.

Up to an inch of ice and two more inches of sleet fell across southwest Missouri on Monday as several waves of freezing rain, snow, sleet and thunderstorms crossed the area.