RICHMOND, Va. (CBSDC/AP) — At least 41,000 utility customers in Virginia remain without electricity as a result of superstorm Sandy.

Dominion Virginia Power says about 20,000 customers in northern Virginia were without power Wednesday.

The utility says it expects to have power restored to nearly all customers by Thursday night except in sections where flooding or severe damage occurred.

A majority of about 10,000 outages reported by electric cooperatives also are in northern Virginia. Service is expected to be restored by Wednesday night.

Appalachian Power is reporting about 11,000 outages, mainly in southwest Virginia. The utility says significant damage occurred to its transmissions lines. Crews are using vehicles to assess damage until it is safe to use helicopters in remote, mountainous regions. The company has given no estimate on when service will be restored.

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