CMP Prepared for Strong Spring Nor’easter

Hundreds of line crews and tree crews are pre-staging ahead of the storm 

Augusta, ME — April 3, 2024 — A slow-moving Nor’easter is forecasted to bring strong winds and more than a foot of heavy, wet snow to CMP’s service area beginning Wednesday night. In anticipation of hazardous weather conditions, CMP is in the final stages of pre-staging more than 450 line crews and 250 tree crews across our service area this evening.

CMP is also in the process of deploying critical equipment and materials to areas including Fryeburg, Wiscasset, and Bucksport to support the company’s eleven regional service centers. The company will also have additional customer service representatives standing by to assist customers starting on Wednesday.

“Heavy, wet snow can significantly slow travel, and having the right personnel, equipment, and materials in the right places ahead of a storm like this can help ensure fast and safe power restoration,” said Jon Breed, spokesperson for Central Maine Power. “Weather conditions are going to be hazardous on Thursday, and we ask everyone to use caution on the roads in the coming days. When you see our crews out restoring power, please slow down and give them plenty of space to do their important work.”

Ahead of this storm, CMP released this informational video about how our company’s power restoration process works.

In every storm, CMP assists local emergency management agencies should road closures occur. For safety, 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 267.898 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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