CMP Continues Restoring Power as Winds Begin to Calm

AUGUSTA, ME — March 29, 2021 — Central Maine Power (CMP) has safely restored power to more than 55,000 customers since 10:00 AM this morning, despite heavy, sustained winds throughout the state. Wind gusts averaged 40-45 MPH in most areas, with winds reaching 50 MPH in the northern region of CMP’s service area. Winds continued into Monday evening, with max gusts calming around 8:00 PM for most regions.

CMP anticipates that the vast majority of customers will be restored by tomorrow.

“We made strong progress today under difficult conditions and will continue those efforts into tonight and tomorrow until power has been restored to all customers,” added Theriault. “In addition to the more than 400 line and tree workers we had responding today, our sister AVANGRID utilities in New York and Connecticut have sent approximately 100 more lineworkers to assist with our response.”

Wind can be especially challenging, as it often creates unsafe conditions for lineworkers, limiting their ability to go up in buckets. Additionally, persistent wind, like what was seen today, often means that outages continue to occur even as crews are actively restoring power nearby. Today’s windstorm brought significant tree damage, bringing heavy trees and limbs down onto utility poles and wires.

CMP worked with local and county Emergency Management officials throughout the day to make conditions safe, first working to clear downed wires and debris, and restoring critical facilities such as hospitals, as well as COVID-19 vaccination sites.

 

CMP reminds customers to remember the following if they have lost power:

• Stay away from downed lines. No line is safe to touch.
• Turn off or unplug major appliance and sensitive electronics.
• Never use range or outdoor stoves to heat your home.
• If you need shelter or food, reach out to 211 for available resource. 

 

CMP continues to observe all COVID-19 safety protocols in storm response including:

• Working in separate teams to minimize contact.
• Restricting visitor access to company facilities.
• Entering a customer residence only in the event of emergency and after assessing risk.
• Maintaining appropriate social distancing in the field.
• Allowing one employee per vehicle.
• Wearing masks.

 

Customers may use online tools, accessible at cmpco.com to report and monitor outages.

 

If you lose service:

• To report an outage, visit Outage Central at cmpco.com. Customers may also report an outage using CMP’s 24/7 automated phone system at 800.696.1000.
• Keep sensitive electronic appliances such as computers, TVs and stereos plugged into a surge protector, or unplug them. They could be damaged if a power surge occurs when electricity is restored.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. For information about food safety, visit http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/refridg_food.html.

 

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 .

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