Central Maine Power Reminds Customers to Be Storm Smart

 June 21 marks the official start of summer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUSTA, MAINE  June 20, 2018  Central Maine Power, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), reminds customers that now is a good time to update their emergency plans, assemble storm kits and review safety guidelines in case of any summer storms.
"Storm preparedness is one of our highest priorities, and planning for storms and other emergencies is something we do year-round, said Doug Herling, CMP's president and CEO. It's also important for customers and their families to know what to do in order to stay safe and comfortable in case a storm causes prolonged loss of electricity or other utility services."


Severe thunderstorms, microbursts, and tornadoes are more likely during the summer months. Additionally, the Atlantic Hurricane Season runs through Nov. 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a near- or above-normal season, with a likelihood of 10 to 16 named storms with sustained winds of 39 mph or higher, of which five to nine could become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher  including one to four major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher.


CMP offers the following tips for customers.

 

Plan Ahead:

  • CMP Outage Alerts service provides automatic updates about power interruptions affecting a customer's home or business via text message, e-mail, voice mail, or any combination of the three. The service also provides estimated restoration times and confirmation when power is restored. Customers can enroll in Outage Alerts at https://www.cmpco.com/.
  • Customers should have flashlights, a first-aid kit, a battery-operated radio or TV, a manual can-opener, a battery-operated clock, and spare batteries on hand.
  • Keep supplies of drinking water and non-perishable food available.
  • Keep mobile phones, tablets, and other devices charged. Store key contact information in your device and keep a paper copy for back-up.
  • People who rely on electric-powered life-support or medical-monitoring equipment should develop a backup plan in case an extended power outage occurs. They can also sign up for CMP's Lifelight program by calling 1.800.750.4000. CMP representatives provide Lifelight participants with information and helpful tips during extended power outages.

 

Report Problems and Get Information:

  • Report outages at CMP's Outage Central site: https://ecmp.cmpco.com/WebOutage/.
    Outage information  including estimated restoration times is available at CMP Outage.
  • Outage Central is mobile friendly and lists information by county and town and on an interactive map.
  • Customers can also report outages and get information at the company's toll-free number: 800.696.1000.

 

Be Safe:

  • Always assume downed power lines are live and dangerous, so stay clear of them.
  • Stay out of flooded basements and call CMP at 1.800.696.1000 to have service turned off.
  • For customers with generators:
    • Hire a licensed electrician to install permanent generators and transfer switches.
      Properly ground all portable generators.
    • Carefully read and observe all instructions in your generator's operating manual.
      Never run a generator indoors, or even in an open garage.
    • If your carbon monoxide detector goes off  get out of the building immediately and call 911.
    • Do not store fuel indoors or try to refuel a generator while it's running.
    • Refer to CMP's web page on generator safety: generator safety

Visit CMP's web site for additional tips on storm preparation and safety: CMP Storm safety.

 

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About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a diversified energy and utility company with more than $31 billion in assets and operations in 27 states. The company owns regulated utilities and electricity generation assets through two primary lines of business, Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks is comprised of eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving approximately 3.2 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables operates more than 6 gigawatts of owned and controlled renewable generation capacity, primarily through wind and solar, in 22 states across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,800 people. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

 

About CMP: Central Maine Power Company (CMP) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR). As Maine's largest electricity transmission and distribution utility, CMP serves 618,000 homes and businesses, representing about 80% of Maine's customer base. J.D. Power and Associates has ranked the company #1 in customer satisfaction seven times. For more information, visit www.cmpco.com.

 

Media Contact:

Gail Rice 
gail.rice@avangrid.com
207.622.NEWS

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