A powerful storm knocked out power to Bronx homes and businesses Wednesday, leaving residents in a lurch.

A Nereid Avenue beauty salon owner complained she lost at least $500 worth of business when her electricity remained off for more than five hours. Deli owner Alberto Sanchez said he also lost business because morning rush-hour customers didn't come in for their usual cup of coffee and food.

Residents were left to swelter without air conditioning as temperatures rose into the 90s after the storm.

Con Edison said at least 1,500 customers were affected in the borough. The utility company restored power to most of them by midday.

Con Edison representatives said it's difficult to determine whether the outages were due to underground wire flooding or overhead wires being snapped in the wind and rain.

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