Here's the latest power restoration updates from CMP, Emera Maine

Photo / Peter Van Allen A tree downed in the Oct. 30 storm blocks through traffic Monday morning on Route 88 in Yarmouth.

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By Staff

Central Maine Power Co. reported recovery from the storm that blew through Maine Sunday night and Monday “could take at least a week in some areas.” Emera Maine said, “We are looking at days.”

CMP reported that 286,971 customer accounts were without service at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Outages peaked at more than 400,000 at midday Monday. The wind and rain storm caused the highest number of outages to the energy grid in CMP’s 118-year history, even exceeding damage from the 1998 ice storm.

As storm recovery efforts moved into their second day, the company said it expects to add to the 1,000 people engaged in the effort, with 500 additional line and tree workers slated to arrive today with more to follow from as far away as Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia.

Since the height of the storm at midday Monday, service has been restored to more than 50,000 homes and businesses across central and southern Maine.

“Today we expect to restore service to large customer groups by completing repairs to transmission and major distribution lines,” Gail Rice, CMP spokesperson, said in a news release issued at mid-morning Tuesday. “We also expect to make more progress on damage assessment, which should allow us to develop a general restoration estimate later today.”

CMP had 100 of its own two-person crews working on storm recovery Monday, along with 105 crews from contractors in Maine and New Brunswick and 108 tree crews. Widespread damage throughout New England and eastern Canada presents an added challenge in the restoration. Additional crews expected to arrive soon from Canada; others from as far away as Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia are on their way.

The company expects to provide a better timeline for the recovery by late Tuesday.

“Our crews are working as quickly and safely as possible, and we ask that people refrain from approaching them with questions,” said Rice. “We encourage customers to go to our website for restoration updates, and let our crews focus on safety as they go about their tasks.”

Emera Maine update

Emera Maine also reported that full restoration for its customers will take time to complete. "We know we are looking at days," said Mike Herrin, chief operating officer for Emera Maine.

Like CMP, it expected to be able to give a fuller report on restoration times later today.

"Motorists are urged to slow down or move over and change lanes, when possible, if approaching utility crews working on roadways,” Herrin stated, adding that the “public is reminded to never touch a downed power line or a tree in contact with a downed line, and never drive over one.”

At the height of the outages late afternoon Monday, Emera reported 82,881 customers were without power: 46,459 in Penobscot, 25,434 in Hancock, 9,396 in northern Penobscot and Piscataquis, 656 in Aroostook, and 936 in Washington counties.

At 5 p.m. today, Emera Maine reported 54,303 customers were still without power.