UNDATED (AP) - About one-third of the utility customers in the Houston area remain without electricity today due to Hurricane Ike.

Here's more on Ike recovery efforts in Southeast Texas: Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas will be in Washington this week seeking more than two billion dollars in federal aid.

Ike made landfall at Galveston on September 13th -- displacing most of the 57,000 or so residents. Many are expected to be allowed to return on Wednesday.

Energy Texas, which serves most of Southeast Texas east of the Trinity River, expects to have electricity restored to its hardest-hit areas by Sunday.

American Red Cross officials say only about 7,600 evacuees remain in shelters around the state.

Governor Rick Perry is encouraging donations to the Texas Disaster Relief Fund to help communities slammed by Ike. Perry has unveiled a public service announcement.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-09-22-08 1644EDT