CLEVELAND, Oct. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company (CEI) personnel are working to restore service to nearly 50,000 customers in northeast Ohio affected by the early season snow squalls that impacted the region late last night and early this morning. An additional 150 crews from FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE ) utilities Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison, Penelec and West Penn Power are expected to arrive in the hardest hit areas throughout the day to assist with the restoration process. The weight of the "lake effect" snow – combined with leaves still being on the trees – has resulted in numerous tree limbs and branches falling into CEI equipment and wires, causing service interruptions. The hardest hit areas are Cuyahoga and Geauga counties. The majority of customers currently without power are expected to be restored by Friday, if not sooner, based on current weather conditions.