The number of people without power was dropping fast Friday night as crews continued to bring light to homes darkened since Wednesday’s storm.

The Lewiston service area remained the hardest hit by Friday afternoon when 4,250 homes and businesses were still without electrical service.

Just a few hours later, that number was whittled down to just 700 Central Maine Power customers across the service area.

Including other areas, in all, 730 CMP customers were without power by nightfall, down from 79,000 two days before. The other 30 were in the Augusta area.

All customers were expected to be back online by late Friday or early today. However, with temperatures expected to drop overnight, local emergency management agencies were coordinating shelter operations.

The Park Avenue Elementary School in Auburn was set up Friday afternoon as a temporary shelter for those lingering in darkness. Representatives from the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army were inside the school gymnasium Friday night, but by 8 p.m., no one had come in seeking shelter.

“We’ve got plenty of coffee and plenty of food,” said Red Cross worker Eddie Greyfox. “We’re ready.”

Cots were set up across the gym and volunteers kept the coffee on. Greyfox said volunteers would stay at least until Saturday morning to serve breakfast to anyone who might need it. A decision on whether the shelter was still needed will be made later in the day.

According to CMP, the outages that remained Friday night were primarily in small neighborhoods served by single-phase lines or in remote homes and seasonal camps.

“We appreciate our customers’ patience and all the assistance we’ve had from contractors and utility crews from around New England,” said CMP spokesman John Carroll. “The icing in Wednesday’s storm formed along a distinct line through the center of our service area, and it left everything absolutely locked in the ice.

“The trees and lines are still coated with ice, which slows the restoration work, but the crews will keep at it until they get the last of the customers back on (this) morning.”

CMP customers on the following areas were expected to be the last to have power restored.

• Auburn, Barker Mill

• Auburn, Broad Street

• Gray, North Raymond Road

• Gray, Pleasant View Lane

• Greene, Bryan Avenue

• Greene, Campground Line

• Greene, College Road

• Greene, Hallowell Line

• Greene, Long Lane

• Greene, Ridge Line

• Greene, South Leeds Road

• Greene, West Shore Line

• Lewiston, College Road

• Lewiston, Delcliffe, Lane

• Lewiston, McKinley Street

• Lewiston, Pineview Street

• Lewiston, Waters Edge Drive

• Minot, Old Woodman Hill Road

• New Gloucester, Sabbathday Lake Road

• New Gloucester, Tripp City Road

• New Gloucester, Trues Point Road

• Poland, Lemay Lane

• Raymond, Notched Pond Line

• Raymond, Notched Pond Shore

• Raymond, Ryans Way

• Wales, East Shore Line