A sloppy and slippery combination of rain and snow caused several highway crashes in southern Maine Wednesday.

One multi-vehicle crash was reported around 8:30 a.m. between Exit 25 and Exit 32 on the Maine Turnpike. The vehicles were partially blocking the road after the crash.

A second crash was reported around 8:45 a.m. near Mile 45 southbound in Portland. That crash blocked the left lane while it was being cleared, according to the turnpike authority. The speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph for the entire length of the turnpike.

Shortly before 10 a.m., a fully-loaded logging truck crashed on a curvy section of Sebago Road in Naples and ended up on its side in a ditch, spilling the logs, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. The driver, 55-year-old Phillip Howard Jr. from Bennington, N.H., was evaluated for pain but was not seriously injured.

Sebago Road was expected to be closed periodically to remove the wreck.

Dozens of schools across southern and central Maine delayed or canceled classes Wednesday because of rain and ice. In Portland, officials decided to close school when sidewalks weren’t clear in time for students to walk to class.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for southern and coastal areas, according to the National Weather Service. Power outages are possible later Wednesday when because of high winds.

This story will be updated.


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