Premier Robert Ghiz was in western P.E.I. Thursday surveying some of the damage from this week's ice storm and ensuring emergency shelters have what they need.

The helicopter inspection revealed previously unknown damage.
(CBC)

Ghiz said he has spoken to federal Defence Minister Peter MacKay about having the army on standby. Soldiers from CFB Gagetown are prepared to help, but Ghiz said at this point it doesn't appear necessary.

"We were in contact with Maritime Electric. They said that they were able to get to the power lines, and really what the army would do if they came in would be help clear off the debris so that Maritime Electric could get to the poles," he said.

"Things were under control, but if they had of gotten worse, we might have been in the situation where we could have to call on the federal government, and we're still going to keep that option available."

Power restored to more than 4,000

With the weather cleared, the utility has been able to use a helicopter to inspect damage to the power grid and now has a much better idea of just how bad it is.

"It's not only going to help us have a good picture of what's happening. The other area is we're also going to patrol where we have the power on, just in case there's something down that could affect us in the future," said Maritime Electric spokeswoman Kim Griffin.

Griffin said power was restored to between 4,000 and 5,000 customers Thursday morning, leaving about 15,000 without electricity. The lights are back on in Hunter River, as well as parts of Sherbrooke, Miscouche, O'Leary, Alberton, Wellington and St. Eleanor's.

Despite the return of power in the Hunter River area, community officials are still concerned about the sewer system overloading. They're asking residents to wait a couple of hours before taking a shower or doing laundry.