After Tropical Storm Arthur Thousands Without Power in Atlantic Canada; Clean-up Starts (PHOTOS)

Crews of power supply utility firms on Monday are racing to restore electricity to more than 250,000 homes and businesses groping in the dark in Atlantic Canada after tropical storm Arthur lashed through the area on Saturday morning.

More than 130,000 customers of New Brunswick Power and 90,000 Nova Scotia Power households were cut from the main power supply as Arthur, with near-hurricane strength winds and torrential rains, thrashed the region.

Customers have been advised that electricity could only be fully restored by Tuesday.

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Arthur's strong winds brought down an estimated 2,500 trees in Fredericton, toppling power lines and cutting supply to homes in the process. David Alward, New Brunswick Premier, told CTV Atlantic that in his property alone, 25 trees fell down - one directly hitting on the house, while others broke fences.

"All of those things we take so much for granted, right now in New Brunswick everything is upside down," he said.

Arthur dumped more than 140 millimetres of rain on New Brunswick, thus leading to localized flooding.

Wayne Tallon, Fredericton head of public safety, said cleanup in his city could take as long as three weeks, with the thousands of toppled trees.

Read: Tropical Storm Alert: Arthur Threatens U.S. July 4th Celebrations; Canada Advised to Expect Rains

Numerous New Brunswick municipalities opened reception centres on Sunday to enable residents without power to charge their phones and other electronics. Charging stations are located in Fredericton, Quispamsis, Oromocto and Grand Bay-Westfield.

Bridgewater, N.S., also opened a recharge station for affected residents.

Environment Canada has lifted all storm warnings over land in the Atlantic region in the wake of the potent storm on Sunday.

"The storm has weakened significantly from 12 hours ago," Chris Fogarty, manager of Canada's Halifax-based hurricane centre, said. "Most of the impacts are over, with just a few heavy showers lingering in Newfoundland. They do have some gusty winds there, but nothing like we saw (Saturday)."