The first official winter storm of the season grazed Central Maine before setting its sights on the Down East region Sunday.

Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties were spared the brunt of the post-Halloween nor’easter, receiving anywhere from a dusting to about three inches of snow and rain.

Avid skier Darcy Smyth of Auburn posted pictures on social media throughout the day, writing smiley faces in the freshly fallen snow wherever she could.

Sunday River ski resort took advantage of the temperatures and little bit of natural snow and announced on their Facebook page that they will be opening 9 a.m. Monday with no charge for patrons showing up in costume.

Winter storm watches that were posted Saturday were quickly downgraded to winter weather advisories as the storm moved on, hammering Lincoln and Knox counties and leaving tens of thousands without electricity.

By Sunday night, Knox County was reporting over 19,000 Central Maine Power customers without power. Waldo reported nearly 18,000 and Lincoln County reported just over 16,600.

In all, nearly 100,000 customers lost power and Gov. Paul LePage issued an emergency proclamation allowing utility workers to work extra hours to restore electricity.

In an Associated Press story LePage said, “Our first concern is to get power back on for Mainers. … Please stay safe and keep off the roads to allow utility crews to do their work.”

The AP reported that CMP spokesman John Carroll said it may take many days to fully restore power and that the storm has hindered repair crews’ ability to get to affected areas, leaving them to wait until Monday to begin efforts in earnest.

According to the National Weather Service, Union and Prospect both saw about a foot of snow. Camden received about nine inches and Belfast, 10.

Bar Harbor experienced winds of 58 miles per hour and Houlton International Airport clocked winds at 44 miles per hour.

Along the midcoast, the light dusting made travel treacherous, sending cars off the road in Brunswick, Topsham and Falmouth. On the Cumberland and Falmouth line, eight people were sent to the hospital in a multi-vehicle crash on Route 9.

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