LEWISTON – By 6 p.m. Wednesday, there were long lines at the supermarkets. Baskets were filled with bottled water, extra gallons of milk, batteries and easily prepared foods. Word had gotten around that a snowstorm is on the way. People were talking about the big one. Weather officials did not argue with that assessment.
“If this storm track is right, we’re going to get creamed,” said Art Lester, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gray.
It’s not so much the size of the storm, but the speed of it, Lester said. Slow moving as it passes over the state, the storm could drop up to 18 inches over a 24-hour period. The first flakes were expected early this morning.
“It’s going to be moving slow, and it’s going to be intense,” Lester said. “That will prolong the storm, and that should mean more snow.”
Good news for skiers and snowmobilers. Bad news from anyone who has to travel at any point today or Friday. Police were announcing parking bans and reduced speed limits on the turnpike. Grocery stores stocked up on the items that sell quickly before storms: bottled water, batteries, candles and other items. Business was brisk just about anywhere those items are sold.
“This is very typical any time we get a storm,” said Marc LePage, night manager at Shaw’s in Lewiston, where the longest lines began to form right around nightfall.
According to weather officials, Mainers should not forget about another necessity during what is expected to be the most ferocious storm of the year: a solid snow shovel.
“It’s going to be a wet snow,” Lester said. “It’s going to be a little heavier snow than we’ve been seeing.”
The National Weather Service issued a weather advisory. One report included the comment: “If you leave the safety of being indoors, you are putting your life at risk.” Lester was not so dramatic about the looming storm.
“That’s a little over the top,” he said. “This being Maine, we kind of expect it. In fact, it’s going to make a lot of people very happy.”
Generally, police are not included in that group. By late Wednesday afternoon, several departments were already announcing that vehicles parked on the street during the storm will be towed to make way for snow plows.
The predicted storm follows more than a week of mild weather. After even that short stretch, police fear that drivers may have forgotten how treacherous driving in snow can be.
Maine State Police are urging drivers to slow down and be prepared as the daylong storm grinds across the state.
Maine State Police Chief Col. Craig A. Poulin said drivers can expect a variety of road conditions, and some precautions can help avoid problems.
Poulin urged drivers to make sure their vehicles are “storm ready” with a full tank of gas, proper tires and windshield wipers. They should also make sure the heater, defroster, lights and battery are in good working order.
The chief said vehicles should be equipped with a blanket, shovel, booster cables, flares and a bucket of sand or salt for winter emergencies.
“Slowing down is our best advice, and vehicles should be driving with their headlights on and increasing their following distance,” Poulin said.
Speed on the Maine Turnpike is expected to be lowered to 45 mph for Thursday’s morning commute. That advisory speed is also expected on the interstate.
The chief said drivers who need to report highway emergencies should call 911 on their cell phones. All 911 calls made on cell phones are answered by state police dispatchers.
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