Augusta, Maine – March 24, 2024
The state of Maine continues to grapple with the aftermath of a powerful spring storm that swept through the region earlier this week. The storm brought heavy rain, strong winds, and caused widespread power outages, leaving hundreds of thousands of residents without electricity.
Lingering Outages
As of today, March 24th, crews are still working tirelessly to restore power. According to Central Maine Power, the state’s largest utility provider, customers remain without power. However, this represents a significant improvement from the peak outage number of reported earlier this week.
Focus on Restoration Efforts
Utility companies have prioritized restoring power to critical infrastructure, including hospitals, emergency services, and water treatment facilities. They are then focusing on restoring power to residential areas, with the goal of having everyone back online as soon as possible.
State of Emergency Remains in Effect
Governor Janet Mills has maintained the state of emergency declaration for several counties, allowing for continued access to federal and state resources to aid in recovery efforts.
Damage Assessment Ongoing
The full extent of the damage caused by the storm is still being assessed. Reports indicate downed trees, power lines, and some structural damage to buildings. State and local officials are working together to coordinate the cleanup and response efforts.
Residents Urged to Remain Cautious
Despite the progress in restoring power, officials are urging residents to remain cautious. Downed power lines and damaged trees pose safety hazards. Additionally, some areas may still be experiencing flooding or localized outages.
Here are some resources for Maine residents affected by the storm:
- Central Maine Power Outage Map: https://www.cmpco.com/outages/reportorviewoutage/viewoutagelist
- Maine Emergency Management Agency: http://www.maine.gov/mema/home
- American Red Cross – Maine Chapter: https://www.redcross.org/local/me-nh-vt.html
Stay tuned for further updates as the recovery efforts in Maine continue.