CMP Responds to Wind-Driven Outages - 3:30 p.m.

Will work overnight to ensure polling locations have power

AUGUSTA, Maine — November 2, 2020 3:30 p.m. – Central Maine Power (CMP) is responding to outages caused by gusty winds that are reaching 35-45 mph across the service area. All CMP crews are actively responding or prepared to respond, aided by 45 contract line crews. At 3:00 PM the company reported about 9,800 outages concentrated in Cumberland, York and Oxford counties.

“We are working with Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and County Emergency Management officials to understand where local polling places are located and will prioritize them for restoration,” said Kerri Therriault, director of Electric Operations. “Forecasts predict that the strong winds will die down early this evening and we will work through the night to restore all customers with priority given to the polls.”

Outages are primarily caused by tree limbs blowing and falling onto wires and poles, and by trees outside the company’s trimming zone uprooting in the wind.

CMP is also working with local and County Emergency Management Officials to understand priorities for clearing any downed wires and debris, ensuring the safe travel of emergency vehicles.

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 as situations require

Customers may use online tools, accessible at www.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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About CMP: Central Maine Power Company (CMP), a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc., is Maine’s largest electricity transmission and distribution utility. Established in 1899 and based in Augusta, Maine, CMP serves approximately 624,000 customers across 346 communities in central and southern Maine. It operates approximately 23,500 miles of distribution lines and 2,900 miles of transmission lines. Over the last decade, the company has invested approximately $2.6 billion in Maine system infrastructure. In 2019, CMP was named Large Business of the Year by the Kennebec Valley United Way. For more information, visit www.cmpco.com.

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with approximately $34 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. With headquarters in Orange, Connecticut, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,600 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2019 and 2020 by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

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