Storm impacts expected Friday

AUGUSTA, ME — July 8, 2021 —

Central Maine Power (CMP) has been carefully watching the track of Tropical Storm Elsa and is prepared to respond should the storm create any power outages Friday.

While forecasts call primarily for heavy rain, there is a possibility of accompanying winds and gusts, particularly along the coast, with the potential to damage trees or limbs that could fall into power lines. Flooding may also be a concern in certain locations and CMP will work closely with local and County emergency management officials to clear any downed lines safely.

“We have had enough experience with coastal storms to know they are not always predictable, and could track differently than forecasts project,” said Kerri Therriault, director, Electric Operations. “CMP has secured the support of more than 50 Maine-based line contractors, several tree crews and will position or move our crews as needed. We encourage our customers to prepare in the event the storm impacts the state more than currently anticipated.”

CMP offers storm preparation tips and a checklist on our website cmpco.com .

CMP reminds customers to remember the following if they have lost power:

• Stay away from downed lines. No line is safe to touch.
• Turn off or unplug major appliance and sensitive electronics.
• Never use range or outdoor stoves to heat your home.
• If you need shelter or food, reach out to 211 for available resource.

Customers may use online tools, accessible at cmpco.com to report and monitor outages

If you lose service:

• Keep sensitive electronic appliances, such as computers and TVs, plugged into a surge protector, or unplug them. They could be damaged if a power surge occurs when electricity is restored.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. For information about food safety, visit http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/refridg_food.html

For customers with generators:

• Hire a licensed electrician to install permanent generators and transfer switches.
• Properly ground all portable generators.
• Carefully read and observe all instructions in your generator’s operating manual.
• Never run a generator indoors, or even in an open garage.
• If your carbon monoxide detector goes off – get out of the building immediately and call 911.
• Do not store fuel indoors or try to refuel a generator while it’s running.
• Refer to CMP’s web page on generator safety

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About CMP: Central Maine Power Company (CMP), a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc., is Maine’s largest electricity transmission and distribution utility. Established in 1899 and based in Augusta, Maine, CMP serves approximately 636,000 customers across 346 communities in central and southern Maine. It operates approximately 23,500 miles of distribution lines and 2,900 miles of transmission lines. Over the last decade, the company has invested approximately $3.5 billion in Maine system infrastructure. In 2019, CMP was named Large Business of the Year by the Kennebec Valley United Way. For more information, visit www.cmpco.com.

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with approximately $36 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. With headquarters in Orange, Connecticut, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,600 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2019 and 2020 by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

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