CMP Starts National Preparedness Month Reminding Customers of Key Storm Tips


 

As fall approaches, CMP encourages customers to prepare for outages and emergencies, continues its year-round storm readiness efforts.

 (photo: crews restoring service after storm damage in Cape Elizabeth) 

 

AUGUSTA, ME – September 2, 2026 – Central Maine Power (CMP), a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc., is reminding customers to be prepared for storms and emergencies with September 1 marking the start of National Preparedness Month. Observed by FEMA since 2004, National Preparedness Month encourages individuals, families and communities to take proactive steps to prepare for emergencies before they occur. 

“Emergencies and severe weather can happen at any time, and National Preparedness Month provides an important reminder to make a plan before you need one,” said Linda Ball, President and CEO of Central Maine Power.“As we look ahead to fall and winter, I encourage customers to review their emergency kits, update their safety plans, and stay prepared. At CMP, we do the same kind of planning year-round by working closely with emergency management partners, strengthening the electric grid through projects and maintenance, and preparing our crews and equipment to respond as quickly and safely as possible when storms impact our communities.” 

 

Storms present risk to the electric grid year-round. This summer alone, CMP responded to more than 200,000 thunderstorm-related outages.  When responding to storms, CMP partners with local emergency management agencies on a number of important tasks. These include clearing blocked roads, prioritizing access for first responders and supporting critical community needs.  

 

“Strong partnerships are essential during emergencies, and the close coordination between Maine’s emergency management agencies and CMP helps us respond effectively when storms affect our communities,” said Philip Davis, Director of the Sagadahoc County Emergency Management Agency. “Throughout the year, we work together to plan, communicate and prepare for severe weather, helping ensure resources are in place and critical needs are addressed when conditions worsen. Just as emergency management agencies and CMP prepare well before a storm is on the horizon, we encourage all Mainers to do the same. National Preparedness Month is a great reminder for you to your review emergency plans, gather essential supplies and be ready before colder weather arrives.” 

 

Customers can take several simple steps before severe weather arrives to help keep themselves and their families safe. Before storms hit, customers should stay informed and review CMP's Storm Safety Checklist. They can also sign up for Outage Alerts to receive real-time updates by text, email, phone or all three. 

 

Customers should always stay away from downed power lines and refrain from removing tree debris, as power lines may be hidden or entangled within it. Report downed power lines, outages and other hazardous conditions by calling 800.696.1000. 

 

Additional Tips for Staying Safe 

  • Keep flashlights, a battery-powered radio and fresh batteries readily available. 

  • Charge cell phones fully before a storm and keep a car charger or backup power source available. 

  • Maintain a supply of nonperishable food and bottled water. 

  • Check CMP's mobile-friendly outage list for the latest outage and restoration information. 

  • Turn off major appliances, such as electric water heaters, refrigerators and freezers, and unplug sensitive electronics to help prevent damage when power is restored. Leave one light on so you'll know when service returns. 

  • Never use a natural gas or propane range, stove or oven to heat your home. 

  • Never use an outdoor grill or outdoor cooking appliance inside your home or garage. 

  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Most food will remain safe for up to 24 hours if doors stay shut. 

 

Customers who rely on life-sustaining equipment powered by electricity should contact CMP at 800.750.4000. Representatives can enroll them in one of CMP's critical customer programs, including Lifelight, and provide guidance on preparing for power interruptions. Before severe weather, enrolled customers receive automated reminders to help ensure they have the supplies and resources needed. 

 

Customers can also review CMP's checklist for preparing for extreme weather events, including hurricanes. 

 

Always stay out of flooded basements because energized wiring or outlets below the waterline may pose a serious hazard. Contact CMP at 800.696.1000 to have electricity turned off if flooding occurs. 

 

If your home or basement floods, have a licensed electrician inspect your electrical system and have a plumbing and heating contractor inspect your appliances before contacting CMP to restore service. 

 

For every storm, CMP follows a structured, step-by-step process to restore power safely and efficiently. Learn more in this short video. 

 

About Central Maine Power: 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 670,000 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 $3.5 billion in Maine system infrastructure. For more information, visit www.cmpco.com. 

About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. is a leading U.S. energy company investing in grid infrastructure and power generation projects to deliver reliable energy and meet growing electricity demand. With approximately $50 billion in assets and operations across 25 states, Avangrid is helping modernize the U.S. electric grid, improve system resiliency, and support economic growth for the customers and communities it serves. Avangrid owns and operates seven electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.4 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid also has nearly 100 energy generation facilities across the United States and more than 11 gigawatts of installed capacity. Avangrid has more than 8,300 employees and was named among the World's Most Ethical Companies in 2026 for the eighth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the Iberdrola Group.