MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Xcel Energy says hundreds of its employees are making marked progress in restoring power to tornado-damaged areas of the Twin Cities.

Xcel says 26,000 customers lost service at the height of the storm Sunday.

North Minneapolis, Golden Valley, Brooklyn Center and Fridley were among the hardest hit communities. About 7,500 customers remained without power Tuesday, mainly in north Minneapolis and the western suburbs where there is substantial damage to the electrical system.

Xcel says it has 400 employees working to repair damage. It hopes to have the vast majority of customers back in service by late Wednesday night.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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