LEWISTON — The number of reported power outages due to Sunday’s storm of wet snow climbed this morning from 83,800 homes and businesses to 128,000, a spokesman for Central Maine Power Company said in a written release.
CMP reported customers lost power starting at about 1 a.m. Monday
The following are services areas (composed of that municipality and a dozen or more communities surrounding it) where customers lost power:
– Bridgton, 18,800;
– Brunswick, 40,000;
– Farmington, 3,200;
– Lewiston, 16,250;
– Portland, 13,000; and
– Skowhegan, 3,100.
The first priority for CMP is to cut power to downed lines, spokesman John Carroll said. Second, the company will perform an assessment of damage to its electrical system. Lastly, the company expects to assign line crews to restore service to critical facilities, such as hospitals and public safety buildings, followed by other customers.
CMP urges anyone encountering a downed line to exercise extreme caution. The lines and limbs in which they’re tabgled should be considered live and dangerous, CMP spokesman John Carroll said.
Customers without power who use generators should make sure they are installed correctly before using them, Carroll said. If a utility truck is in the area, generators should be shut off.