AUGUSTA – Sunshine helped melt a new casing of ice and snow over much of Maine on Thursday as thousands of utility customers remained without power.

Central Maine Power Co. said 22,640 customers were still in the dark Thursday night, down from a peak of 79,000 the previous night.

Service disruptions were most severe around Augusta, with more than 10,000, Lewiston with nearly 9,000, and Alfred, Portland and Bridgton. The company said outages in some areas were expected to continue for some customers overnight.

All but the most remote customers in the Brunswick, Fairfield and Rockland service areas were expected to be back on line by midnight.

More than 300 line workers from CMP, other utilities and contractors were reported to be in the field.

“The heavy snow and ice from this storm coated tree limbs with snow and ice, causing them to fall onto our lines,” CMP spokesman John Carroll said in a statement. “In addition, some of the secondary roads are still in rough shape, and access to more remote areas, including camp roads around lakes, has been especially difficult.”

The National Weather Service said temperatures started the day in the 20s generally, with winds adding an extra chill. Milder weather, with temperatures in or near the 30s, were expected to prevail in much of the state Friday.

Gov. John Baldacci signed an emergency declaration Wednesday evening allowing power crews from other states to come to Maine and to help restore electricity.

“If you have lost power and are using a generator or alternate heat and light sources, follow instructions carefully to avoid dangerous fumes or fire hazards,” Baldacci said in a statement.

“We are working diligently to get life back to normal across the state. As we continue our efforts, please take time to check on friends and neighbors who might need some extra help, or who might not have heard this safety message,” Baldacci said.

The Baldacci administration said a few shelters or warming centers were opening.

An overnight shelter was scheduled to be open at the Augusta Civic Center.

Meanwhile, roads in some areas were blocked by flooding, administration officials said.