CMP Looks to Complete Restoration Today

AUGUSTA, ME — March 30, 2021 — In 24 hours, Central Maine Power (CMP) restored power to over 69,000 customers following Monday’s windstorm. As a result of heavy, sustained winds throughout its service area, CMP saw more than 71,000 customers impacted. Max wind gusts reached 50 MPH in many areas and peaked at 60 MPH in areas like Greenville. CMP will work throughout the day today to ensure power is restored to the remaining 2,000 customers.

“Our crews worked hard overnight, successfully restoring power to a vast majority of our customers by this morning,” said Kerri Therriault, CMP’s director of electric operations. “Though we’ve made great progress, our job is not done. We will continue our efforts throughout the day today until each and every customer’s power has been restored.”

CMP has shifted its resources to the most heavily impacted areas to aid restoration efforts. In addition to the 400 line and tree workers involved in yesterday’s response, the company is being assisted by an additional 100 lineworkers from its sister utilities in Connecticut and New York today.

 

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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