Utility crews restore power to thousands of Maine customers

AUGUSTA – Maine utilities reported marked gains Sunday in the drive to restore power for thousands of customers knocked off line by heavy winds earlier in the weekend.

Central Maine Power Co. said about 8,900 homes and businesses in its territory were still without electricity close to midday. That was down from a high of nearly 49,000 Friday night.

“We’ve made some really good progress,” said CMP spokesman Kevin Howes. “We’re looking at continued restoration today.”

Some customers in the Alfred service area were expected to go at least another night before being patched back in.

At noon Sunday, Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. said its estimated number of meters without service was fewer than 50, located in East Millinocket and Brooksville. At the storm’s peak, nearly 7,000 Bangor Hydro customers had service disrupted.

Freezing temperatures were being felt from New England to the Rockies.

Storms and cold weather have been blamed for five deaths.

The National Weather Service said parts of Maine experienced the lowest temperatures of the winter season Sunday morning.

A low of 18 degrees below zero was reported in Allagash.

From Greenville north, early wind gusts ranged from 20 to 28 mph, generating wind chill values in the 15-27 below range, the weather service said.

Utility crews were still working to restore power to about 12,000 electric customers across New Hampshire.

Jim Van Dongen of the state Bureau of Emergency Management said the state closed its emergency operations center two days after wild winds and hail caused power outages that affected about 100,000 homes and businesses around the state.