Snowstorm Causes Power Outage For 266K Maine Residents

'Be Prepared To Be Without Power For Likely More Than A Day', Provider Says

KEY POINTS

Snowstorm hits Maine
266K Maine residents suffer power outage
Outage might last for more than a day, provider says
Weather service: snowfall expected to taper overnight into Saturday
Snow accumulation expected

Around 266,000 Maine residents suffered from a power outage when a snowstorm hit the state on Friday morning.

According to the National Weather Service in Caribou, 32 percent of all power customers in the area lost electric power just after 9 AM, as a result of the storm which also showered some areas north of Portland with more than seven inches of snow.

“Strong winds and heavy snow overnight have caused numerous outages,” the Central Maine Power tweeted, telling customers to expect for the power outage to last for more than a day. “Our crews are working quickly and safely to restore power.”

Strong winds and heavy snow overnight have caused numerous outages. Our crews are working quickly and safely to restore power. Visit our website to check restoration times, we'll post updates as they are available. We expect some areas will be without power for more than a day. pic.twitter.com/mMoNjlpBAa
— Central Maine Power (@cmpco) April 10, 2020

The weather service added that the snowfall is expected to lessen overnight into Saturday across Northern New England, especially Maine, "after some significant accumulations".

Meanwhile, the Central Main Power said that their workers are "practicing social distancing" in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and asked people not to approach the crew in the field, the New York Post reported.