Plainfield, In. – In a press release Thursday Duke Energy said it had restored power to more than 73,000 customers affected by Wednesday’s severe thunderstorms. Duke said the storms caused more than 100,000 power outages across nearly all of the 28 districts the company serves. Duke said it brought in more than 500 additional crew members to supplement its statewide workforce and respond to the hardest hit areas, including Bartholomew, Hamilton, Monroe, Union and Vigo counties. The company said that during power restoration, its priority is to repair large power lines and other infrastructure that will return power to the greatest number of customers as safely, quickly and efficiently as possible. Additionally, it prioritizes essential services such as hospitals and water pumping and treatment facilities. Crews then can work on repairs affecting individual neighborhoods and homes.