CMP reports 18,000 across state still without power

AUGUSTA, Maine - Central Maine Power Company said today that about 18,000 Maine customers are without service as of 8 a.m. The winter storm that moved through the region Thursday night disrupted service to 138,000 homes and businesses. Outages from heavy snow and high winds peaked at more than 100,000 shortly before 8 a.m. Friday.

"Our employees and contractors have put in a tremendous effort since this storm began on Thursday, restoring service to more than 120,000 homes and businesses safely despite some difficult working conditions," said Doug Herling, vice president for Electric Operation. "We appreciate our customers' patience, especially with the New Year's holiday this evening. We expect to restore service to the majority of the remaining outages by late tonight."

According to a press release sent today, the storm damage was distributed widely across the company's service area with the heaviest damage in a broad band parallel to the coast, including large portions of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Sagadahoc, and Waldo counties. Difficult travel on secondary roads and deep snow banks made the task of restoring service more difficult.

CMP has a team of more than 1,200 field and support personnel engaged in the restoration, including crews from AVANGRID's United Illuminating in Connecticut, as well as crews from, Maine, Connecticut, New York, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick.

A list of outages by county is on CMP's web site: m.cmpco.com. The company will update the web site with estimated restoration times as soon as more information is available.

CMP urges customers to report outages on its mobile-friendly web site at m.cmpco.com or by calling 1.800.696.1000. Customers can also sign up for CMP's free Outage Alerts service, which provides the latest information about power outages by text message, email, or voice message.

CMP offers customers the following tips to prepare for the storm and stay safe and comfortable during power outages:

During a power interruption:

• Power outages can be reported on line at CMP's mobile-friendly website (https://m.cmpco.com/mt/ecmp.cmpco.com/WebOutage) or by calling 1.800.696.1000. Our systems automatically create a work order and set the stage for dispatch of crews to the outage location.

• Bookmark the Outage Central page at http://www.cmpco.com/Outages/default.html (mobile friendly at https://m.cmpco.com/mt/www.cmpco.com) and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for current outage and safety information.

• When using an emergency heating source, like a wood stove, fireplace, or kerosene heater, keep fuels away from the flames and be sure to ventilate properly.
• Never use grills or camp stoves indoors -- they can give off dangerous gases.
• Keep refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible. Most food will last 24 hours or longer if you minimize the opening of refrigerator and freezer doors.

• Turn off or unplug major appliances to avoid overloading circuits when power is restored.

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:http://www.cmpco.com/UsageAndSafety/electricalsafety/GeneratorSafety/default.html

• Visit http://www.cmpco.com/Outages/storm_safety.html for additional storm safety information.

After Power Is Restored

• Turn on appliances and sensitive electronic equipment one at a time to avoid overloading circuits.
• If a basement or home was flooded, have an electrician check the home before contacting CMP to have services turned on.
• Replenish any emergency supplies used during the storm.

The company urges customers to use caution if they see downed lines.

"Everyone should stay clear of any downed power lines or fallen trees that may be tangled in the lines," said CMP Spokesperson Gail Rice. "All downed lines should be considered live and dangerous. Customers should leave the clean-up to our crews, who are trained and equipped to handle these situations safely."

CMP also reminds drivers to use caution when approaching utility crews. The working conditions are difficult, and the workers appreciate everyone's consideration for their safety.

Additional information on storm safety and restoration, including a town-by-town listing of outages in the CMP service area with an area map, can be found on CMP's web site atwww.cmpco.com.

Residents can follow CMP on Twitter and like them on Facebook.