Maine Storm Causes More Power Outages Than 1998 Ice Storm

Nearly half a million customers were still without power Monday evening following a storm that brought heavy rainfall and damaging winds to the state.

Emera Maine reported nearly 84,000 outages Monday evening, while Central Maine Power said that more than 387,000 customers were still without electricity. CMP said some customers would be without power for several days.

The outages exceeded the peak number of outages caused by the 1998 Ice Storm, 270,000. A total of 360,000 customers lost power during the course of the event nearly 20 years ago.

Powerful winds on Monday brought down trees and tree limbs, damaging poles and power lines throughout the state. Emera Maine officials reminded the public to never touch a downed power line or a tree in contact with a downed line. Gov. Lepage issued a state of emergency, allowing crews repairing power lines to work additional hours.

The storm knocked out power to traffic lights across Maine, causing confusion at intersections. Gov. Lepage urged motorists to use extra caution while driving. Colonel Robert Williams, chief of the Maine State Police, said there would be vast areas in complete darkness with no street lights, storefronts or homes to help illuminate the way.

The National Weather Service in Gray reported wind gusts of 69 mph in Portland, 47 mph in Sanford and 53 mph in Augusta.