Only a handful of homes have entered a fourth night without power after a fatal weekend storm blacked out swathes of properties on Sydney's northern beaches.
Ausgrid restored electricity to about 850 homes on Wednesday, leaving about 40 still unconnected as of 6pm.
"The storm left an incredible amount of damage to the network and the work needed was complex," the network provider said, thanking staff who "worked tirelessly around the clock and in 30+ degree heat".
Sunday's storm impacted beachside areas from Narrabeen to Dee Why especially hard, claiming the life of a 68-year-old yoga instructor while ripping roofs off apartment buildings and blacking out 35,000 homes.
Northern Beaches Council chief executive Ray Brownlee wants the area declared a disaster zone, as hundreds of insurance claims are filed and some residents face abandoning Christmas plans for a second year.
"We are asking for the NSW government to support our council, local businesses and residents to be able to access disaster funding and support to assist as the clean-up and recovery continues," Mr Brownlee said.
More than 700 insurance claims have been lodged.
