MOULTRIE, Ga. — Roads were all cleared and open and power restored to all Colquitt County Schools on Thursday, but the mopping up operation as far as restoring power to every home could go on for several more days.

The City of Funston, along with the elementary school there, were waiting until Thursday to have power restored because a Georgia Power main line that runs along Highway 37 was damaged, said Russell Moody, Colquitt County Emergency Management director. For those who continue to be without power the wait is entering the fifth day.

As of Thursday afternoon, Colquitt EMC, the largest electricity provider in rural Colquitt County, was down to about 1,500 customers in Colquitt County whose power still had not been restored, Moody said. The City of Moultrie had restored power to all of its customers, as had all of the other municipalities in the county.

“EMC and Georgia Power are working to restore power,” Moody said, assisted by utility workers from other states. “The numbers have come way down.”

By the end of the day Friday nearly all homes will have power restored. However, those who are in isolated locations where there are few houses will probably remain dark into the weekend at least.

As residents start piling up debris, Moody urged them to follow state law and obtain a burn permit from the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Residents can obtain permits by calling the local forestry office at (229) 891-7120, online at http://www.gfc.state.ga.us/online-permits/Index.cfm, or calling 1 (877) OK2-BURN (652-2876)

People planning to burn their vegetation debris, where it is allowed, also should pick a location that is not close to structures or other materials that could catch fire and to have water on hand to deal with an out-of-control blaze, Moody said. Residents also can take the debris to the Colquitt County Landfill at 1816 Shade Murphy Road.

Schools plan to reopen on Monday.

Ice is available at the Moultrie Fire Department Station 3 on Highway 133 South, and the Moultrie Y is offering showers at its facilities at 601 26th St. S.E.