CMP Prepared for Second Winter Storm

Track and intensity are forecasted to be similar to mid-week storm

Augusta, ME —January 12, 2024 — Central Maine Power (CMP) has been closely monitoring and is prepared for a second winter storm forecasted to impact its service area this week. The storm, which will arrive overnight Friday, is expected to bring strong winds and wet snow to part of Maine, along with coastal flooding. Storm response and tree care crews are pre-staging and will be ready to respond if outages occur.

“Our crews are pre-staging and are ready to respond in the event of outages,” said Jon Breed, spokesperson for Central Maine Power. 

Ahead of the week’s second storm, CMP also released part one of a two-part podcast produced by Central Maine Power that gives its customers an inside look at the company’s planning and response ahead of any major storm. 

“Our goal with this podcast is to give our customers more insight into how our company prepares and responds to storms,” Breed continued. “This weekend, hundreds of CMP employees, both in the field and behind the scenes will be working together to restore power to any of our impacted customers as quickly and as safely as we can.”

The podcast can be heard on Apple Podcasts and Spotify:

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify 

In every storm, CMP assists local emergency management agencies should road closures or coastal flooding occur. For safety reasons, CMP crews are prohibited from raising bucket trucks when windspeeds are greater than 30 mph.

Customers can report outages quickly and easily, and track restoration times, using the CMP Mobile App. Download from the App Store or text APP to 267898 for a downloadable link. Customers may also enroll in Outage Alerts to stay informed in the event they lose power.

Customers may find storm preparation tips and a checklist on the CMP website. 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 appliances and sensitive electronics.
  • Never use ranges or outdoor stoves to heat your home.
  • If you need shelter or food, reach out to 211 for available resources.

If you lose service

  • For fast outage reporting, use the CMP Mobile App or visit Outage Central.
  • 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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Media Contact:

Jon Breed
Jonathan.Breed@avangrid.com
207.458.3510

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