TRENTON -- Gov. Chris Christie said Friday that at least 90 percent of Atlantic City Electric customers who lost power during New Jersey's recent storms should have their lights on by Friday night.

The governor described being in constant contact with the CEO of the utility, explaining during a news conference Friday that power is being restored to the several hundreds of thousands of people whose lights went dark earlier this week.

Christie also explained why he hasn't declared an emergency for areas of South Jersey hit hard by the weather.

"Right now what's happening is FEMA is on the ground with the Office of Emergency Management of the State Police and they are assessing the damage level. You don't need a state of emergency declaration in order to get federal funds if you need a certain threshold and if there's anything that a state of emergency declaration would do to enhance our ability to get more help more quickly, I'd be happy to do that," Christie said.

MORE: Christie vetoes N.J. budget tax hikes, urges increase in low-income tax credit

"But I was convinced ... that we're bringing resources to bear that are necessary," he said. "I was assured by the CEO of Atlantic City Electric last night that 90-95 percent of power will be restored by this evening and that everybody else will be resorted ... over the weekend."

About 280,000 people in Atlantic City Electric's service area lost power following the recent storms that washed over South Jersey, Christie said, noting "that's 60,000 more" than utility customers in that region lost during Hurricane Sandy.

He called the recovery from the recent storms "a big undertaking" for the utility company.

"If there's anything we need to do that a declaration of emergency would enhance, I'd be happy to do that," Christie said. "I have been instructed at this point by counsel and by the state police that they don't know one - if they need one I'll sign it."

MORE CHRIS CHRISTIE

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or on Facebook. Follow NJ.com Politics on Facebook.