By Mark LaFlamme,Staff Writer

LEWISTON – A grim warning on a weather statement Monday advised that anyone who leaves their home during the coming snowstorm could be killed.

Weather forecasters are not so sure about that dire prediction, but at Central Maine Power Co., officials were reminding people that downed power lines can be deadly.

“I can’t stress strongly enough how important it is for people to stay clear of any downed power lines,” said CMP spokesman John Carroll. “All lines should be considered live and dangerous and touching them could be deadly.”

With more than a foot of snow in the forecast and winds expecting to be fierce at times, CMP was already bracing for widespread power outages.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Gray on Monday issued a storm warning suggesting March this year will likely come in with a bang. The storm is expected to extend into Tuesday, with 8 to 14 inches of snow accumulating inland.

For those who provide electrical power to most of the state, the forecast spells trouble.

“The strong winds forecast to accompany the heavy snow could cause tree limbs to come in contact with power lines, causing outages or even knocking equipment to the ground,” Carroll said. “Our trucks are fueled and equipped and we have repair and support personnel on standby. We’re ready for whatever the weather brings.”

An advisory from the National Weather Service predicts gusting winds that will blow falling snow around, limiting visibility on top of other problems. A final sentence tacked on to the advisory states: “Any travel is strongly discouraged. If you leave the safety of being indoors, You are putting your life at risk.”

Weather officials said they typically avoid such frantic warnings when a snowstorm is expected. Especially during the first three months of the year.

“This being Maine, we kind of expect it,” said Art Lester, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Gray.

Still, CMP was ready with survival tips for Mainers, from steering clear of repair crews to safely using emergency generators. Their biggest concern, according to Carroll, is that some people don’t realize the danger of downed wires even after years of warnings.

“Customers should leave all cleanup efforts to our crews, who are trained and equipped to handle the equipment safely,” Carroll wrote in a Monday afternoon news release. “And please, if you come upon a CMP crew at work in the roadway, remember to drive carefully; working conditions can be difficult and the crews will appreciate your consideration for their safety.”

Forecasters expect the storm to begin winding down by Tuesday afternoon.

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