Closures mark Maine's third nor'easter in two weeks
Photo / Peter Van Allen
A Portland METRO bus turns onto an empty Congress Street in downtown Portland at mid-morning Tuesday.
As Maine braces for the arrival of its third nor’easter in less than two weeks, schools, banks, most government offices and many businesses played it safe with early announcements that they would be closed today.
All state of Maine offices are scheduled to close at 12:30 p.m.
All flights into and out of Portland International Jetport were cancelled Tuesday morning through at least 6 p.m. Starting at noon Tuesday, Bangor International Airport reported many of its flights were being cancelled as well.
The National Weather Service office in Gray issued a blizzard warning that would take effect at 11 a.m. today and continue through early Wednesday morning. “Travel will be very dangerous to impossible, especially this afternoon and evening,” NWS reported. “Tree branches could fall as well. Total snow accumulations of 14 to 18 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts.”
NWS added that winds gusting as high as 50 mph will cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow and warned that significant drifting of snow is likely.
Due to the winter weather forecast for Wednesday, the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce is postponing its Eggs & Issues forum that had been scheduled for that morning. "This event WILL be rescheduled and we are currently working on the details of that event and will get information out to everyone soon," the chamber stated in an email to Mainebiz. "Hopefully, by then, the weather will cooperate! Please stay tuned for more details and stay safe during the storm!"
Portland announced that City Hall and city buildings would be closed for the day, advising residents who park on-street to move their cars as early as 7 a.m. Tuesday to allow plow trucks to keep the streets clear throughout the day. A citywide parking ban has been declared, beginning at 10 p.m. Tuesday and extending through 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Portland METRO announced it is stopping service at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Specific updates for each route are listed on the METRO website.
The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles cancelled all driver license examinations scheduled for today due to the weather forecast.
WMTW posted a lengthy list of cancellations that includes most public schools, many municipal offices, senior citizen centers, some banks, Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn and Brewer. The Maine Legislature will not have any hearings or legislative committee meetings this afternoon, but indicated its offices would remain open.
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