Central Maine Power Crews repairing Damage from Strong Thunderstorms

 Cumberland, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc Counties hardest hit

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 
AUGUSTA, MAINE  September 6, 2018  Crews from Central Maine Power Co. (CMP), a subsidiary of AVANGRID Inc. (NYSE: AGR), are out in full force on Thursday, repairing damage from brief yet intense thunderstorms that came through southern and coastal Maine at midday. The company reports an estimated 22,000 outages at 5:30 p.m. and estimates more than 29,700 customer accounts have lost power at some point over the past six hours. Most of the outages are in Cumberland, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc Counties, where strong winds caused tree limbs from outside the utility's right of way to come into contact with lines. There are multiple reports of trees down blocking roadways in coastal communities from Freeport to Bristol, as well as some inland towns.


Crews are working to restore service as safely and efficiently as possible. CMP is bringing more personnel and equipment to areas with the greatest damage. It is also coordinating with the Maine Emergency Management Agency and county emergency management personnel. 


CMP's first priority is to respond to reports of downed power lines to keep the public safe. Early recovery efforts also address the needs of hospitals, nursing homes, fire and police stations, as well as any other critical infrastructure.


CMP first repairs the backbone of the electricity system  transmission lines and substations  that bring electricity to the local distribution system that serves our customers. Crews then make any necessary repairs to the distribution system that includes the poles and power lines along streets and roads, focusing first on those circuits where we can restore power to the largest number of customers. Next are secondary lines that serve smaller neighborhoods, followed by repairs to service lines to individual homes and businesses. This is a time-proven process that ensures we safely restore service as quickly and efficiently as possible.


CMP offers customers the following tips to prepare for the storm and stay safe and comfortable if power outages do occur.


During a power interruption:

  • Power outages can be reported on line at CMP's mobile-friendly website ( https://m.cmpco.com/mt/ecmp.cmpco.com/WebOutage) or by calling 800.696.1000. Our systems automatically create a work order and set the stage for dispatch of crews to the outage location.
  • Bookmark the Outage Central page at CMP Outages (mobile friendly at https://m.cmpco.com/mt/www.cmpco.com) and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for current outage and safety information.
  • When using an emergency heating source, like a wood stove, fireplace, or kerosene heater, keep fuels away from the flames and be sure to ventilate properly.
  • Never use grills or camp stoves indoors  they can give off dangerous gases.
  • Keep refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible. Most food will last 24 hours or longer if you minimize the opening of refrigerator and freezer doors.
  • Turn off or unplug major appliances to avoid overloading circuits when power is restored.

After power is restored:

  • Turn on appliances and sensitive electronic equipment one at a time to avoid overloading circuits.
  • If a basement or home was flooded, have an electrician check the home before contacting CMP to have services turned on.
  • Replenish any emergency supplies used during the storm.

CMP urges customers to stay clear of any downed power lines or fallen trees that may be tangled in lines. It also reminds drivers to use caution when approaching utility crews. The working conditions are difficult, and the workers appreciate everyone's consideration for their safety.


Additional information on storm safety and restoration, including a town-by-town listing of outages in the CMP service area with an area map, can be found on CMP's web site at www.cmpco.com.

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About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with $31 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving 3.2 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates 7.1 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind power, with a presence in 22 states across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,500 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.'s Sustainability Development Goals, received a Climate Development Project climate score of A-, the top score received in the utilities sector, and has been recognized for two consecutive years by Ethical Boardroom as the North American utility with the best corporate governance practices. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

About CMP: Central Maine Power Company (CMP), a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc., is Maine's largest electricity transmission and distribution utility. Established in 1899, CMP operates approximately 23,500 miles of distribution lines and 2,900 miles of transmission lines. It serves approximately 624,000 customers across 346 communities in central and southern Maine. For more information, visit www.cmpco.com.

Media Contact:

Gail Rice 
gail.rice@avangrid.com
207.622.NEWS

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