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Storms KOs Power for Thousands

February 24, 2009 - WINDHAM -- Central Maine Power reported at noon Monday that more than 129,000 customers were without electricity following the storm that slammed Maine Sunday.

At midday, outages reported in the Portland service area included 82 roads in Buxton; Gorham, 50; South Portland, 18; Scarborough 15; Westbrook, 21; and Windham, 115.

Windham dispatch said the town's emergency shelter is open at Windham High School on Gray Road. Those seeking shelter should use the gym entrance. The shelter has hot and cold running water along with warm beds.

“We continue to work on three tasks at this stage of the storm,” said John Carroll, CMP spokesman. “First, we make sure any downed lines are de-energized. Second, we’re assessing the extent of the damage to our system, and third, we’ll begin assigning crews to restore service to critical facilities such as hospitals and public safety buildings. The restoration to most homes and businesses will start later today.”

Mutual-aid crews from contractors and other utilities from the New England area are already assisting local crews, and more are due in later today.

Following is a list of outages by service center, which includes the city or town listed along with a dozen or more surrounding communities: Alfred, 23,000; Augusta, 5,100; Bridgton,17,900; Brunswick, 39,400; Fairfield, 140; Farmington, 2,250; Lewiston, 16,100; Portland,14,800; Rockland/Belfast, 7,760; Skowhegan, 2,700. The total is 129,150

Central Maine Power is urging customers to use caution around downed lines. The company also reminded customers who have generators that they must be installed with the correct protective devices to prevent power from feeding back onto the utility’s wires. This creates an extreme risk to utility workers, emergency personnel and the public. And if customers using generators see utility trucks in their neighborhood, the units should be turned off.

By Robert Lowell
Reporter - American Journal
Feb. 23, 2009


Lakes:
Regions: Sebago


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