Heavy Snow Causing Widespread Outages

CMP News

Central Maine Power Company, 83 Edison Drive, Augusta, ME 04336 (207) 622-NEWS 

Corporate Communications - corpcomm@cmpco.com 

 

 

Release: Immediate  

Media Contacts: Gail Rice, 207.622.NEWS, gail.rice@cmpco.com

 

 

 

Heavy Snow Causing Widespread Outages

 

AUGUSTA, Maine, November 26, 2014 " Central Maine Power Company (CMP), a subsidiary of Iberdrola USA, reports an estimated 80.000 customers were without service Wednesday evening as heavy snow continued to fall in central and southern Maine.

 

"The heavy, wet snow that started around midday has built up on roads, tree limbs, and power lines, causing numerous outages across our service area," said Gail Rice, spokesperson for Central Maine Power. "We know people are eager to get power back, or get an estimate on restoration time, so they can move ahead with Thanksgiving plans. But with widespread storm damage, and snow still creating difficult travel and working conditions for crews, we're not able to provide restoration estimates yet. Crews will work through the night, and we expect to have many crews working on Thanksgiving Day."

 

Damage is most severe in York Cumberland, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc Counties, and there is considerable damage in other parts of the utility's 11,000-square-mile service area.


 
A list of outages by county is on CMP's web site: Outage List

 

If outages occur, CMP urges customers to call the toll-free outage hotline: 1.800.696.1000.

 

CMP offers customers the following tips to prepare for the storm and stay safe and comfortable during power outages:

 

During a power interruption:

  • To report a power interruption, contact CMP at 1.800.696.1000. Our telephone system automatically creates a work order and sets the stage for dispatch of crews to the outage location.
  • When using an emergency heating source, like a wood stove, fireplace, or kerosene heater, keep fuels away from the flames and be sure to ventilate properly.
  • Never use grills or camp stoves indoors " they can give off dangerous gases.
  • Keep refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible. Most food will last 24 hours or longer if you minimize the opening of refrigerator and freezer doors.
     

For customers with generators:

  • Hire a licensed electrician to install permanent generators and transfer switches.
  • Make sure portable generators are properly grounded.
  • Carefully read and observe all instructions in your generator's operating manual.
  • Never run a generator indoors, or even in an open garage.
  • Do not store fuel indoors or try to refuel a generator while it's running.
  • Refer to CMP's web page on generator safety:  Generator Safety
     

The company urges customers to use caution if they see downed lines.
 
"Everyone should stay clear of any downed power lines or fallen trees that may be tangled in the lines," said Rice. "All downed lines should be considered live and dangerous. Customers should leave the clean-up to our crews, who are trained and equipped to handle these situations safely."
 
CMP also reminds drivers to use caution when approaching utility crews. The working conditions are difficult, and the workers appreciate everyone's consideration for their safety.
 
Additional information on storm safety and restoration is on CMP's web site at www.cmpco.com.

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About Central Maine Power Company (CMP): Central Maine Power Company, a subsidiary of Iberdrola USA, is Maine's largest electricity transmission and distribution utility. The company delivers about 9 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually to more than 600,000 homes and businesses, representing about 80% of Maine's annual consumer sales of electricity. The company has been ranked #1 in customer satisfaction six times by J.D. Power and Associates. For more information, visit www.cmpco.com/.

About Iberdrola USA: Iberdrola USA is the U.S. subsidiary of global energy leader Iberdrola, S.A. The Iberdrola USA companies employ about 5,000 people with operations in 24 states from New England to the West Coast, providing electricity generation, transmission and distribution, natural gas storage and distribution, and energy services. For more information, please visit our website: www.iberdrolausa.com. Follow us on Twitter: @IberdrolaUSA

 

 


 

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