UPDATED 12:20 P.M.: PORTLAND (AP) — Officials say a storm brought powerful gusts that knocked out power but not the flooding that was feared in Maine.

Tom Hawley of the National Weather Service says the worst of the rain ended Thursday morning long before the afternoon high tide, easing concerns of a repeat of last month’s street flooding.

Hawley said the storm brought gusts of 53 mph at Matinicus Rock, 52 mph off Old Orchard Beach and 48 mph at the Portland International Jetport. At the peak, Central Maine Power and Emera Maine together reported more than 20,000 customers were without electricity Thursday morning.

A flood warning remained in effect for southern Maine communities. But Hawley said there was no danger of a repeat of last month’s street flooding that damaged dozens of cars.

A few areas came in with over 3 inches of rain from this potent Autumn storm. Here is the latest map based on PRELIMINARY observations.

Posted by US National Weather Service Gray ME on Thursday, October 29, 2015

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Storm repair crews hard at work in Freeport! We expect to restore to all customers system-wide by late this evening

Posted by Central Maine Power on Thursday, October 29, 2015

UPDATED 9:15 A.M.: Central Maine Power is reporting almost 12,000 customers — mostly along the coast of Maine — are without power.

Most of the outages are in Waldo, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, and Cumberland counties. They are concentrating crews in those areas to restore power by early this evening.

Coastal flood warning

The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood warning until 3 p.m. Thursday. 

The astronomical high tide is expected to peak at 12:52 p.m. The tide combined with a storm surge of 6 inches or less could produce minor coastal flooding in Portland and coastal locations south of there.

A coastal flood warning means that flooding is occurring or is imminent.

Coastal areas north of Portland are under a coastal flooding advisory. The advisory means that the NWS expects onshore winds and tides will combine to flood areas along the shore.

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Coastal Maine braces for flooding

PORTLAND (AP) — Some residents in Maine are without power after heavy rain and wind moved across the state overnight.

Central Maine Power reported nearly 13,000 customers were without power as of 7 a.m. Thursday with most of the outages in Waldo, Lincoln and Cumberland counties. Emera Maine reported more than 8,500 without power, mainly in Hancock County, although customers as far inland as Bangor and Burlington are affected.

Meanwhile, officials say residents should continue to be vigilant about higher than normal tides and heavy rains that could bring flooding to coastal areas.

A city spokeswoman in the state’s largest city says Portland officials are advising citizens to avoid parking and traveling in areas of the city that are prone to flooding.

The tide to watch on Thursday is at 12:52 p.m.


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