Maine Public Service Co. put utility crews on standby and emergency management officials deployed cots for temporary shelters as northern Aroostook County prepared for a prolonged storm with freezing rain and ice today.

The freezing rain began Thursday and was expected to coat roads, trees and buildings with up to three-quarters of an inch of ice, raising the possibility of power outages, officials said.

The Aroostook County Emergency Management Agency deployed 100 cots to be used if needed for temporary shelters, said Director Vern Ouellette.

Maine Public Service Co., meanwhile, had 32 line workers and 15 bucket trucks ready to go in the event of power outages. The utility also contacted its counterparts in Bangor and New Brunswick for assistance if needed.

A winter storm warning is in effect through 7 tonight.

Slippery road conditions Thursday in the Piscataquis County region sent several vehicles off the roads.

Scott Cote, 35, of Bristol, Conn., lost control of his vehicle on Route 7 in Dover-Foxcroft at 9:40 a.m. Thursday, and his vehicle bumped a home owned by Richard Thornley Sr.

Dover-Foxcroft police Officer Dave Wilson said just a couple of the home’s shingles were damaged, and damage to Cote’s car was minimal.