Central Maine Power Company (CMP) is getting ready for a winter storm due to reach Maine on Wednesday. Utility trucks are fueled and equipped, and key CMP personnel held a pre-storm planning session Tuesday morning to discuss staffing levels and finalize storm-response plans.
“We’ve put our storm response plan into motion, and we’re watching the forecast closely,” said John Carroll, spokesperson for Central Maine Power. “While we sincerely hope the weather does not disrupt service during the Thanksgiving holiday, we have put our employees on notice that they may be called upon should outages occur.”
The utility is coordinating its storm preparation efforts with the Maine Emergency Management Agency and the Governor’s office.
If outages occur, CMP urges customers to call the toll-free outage hotline: 1-800-696-1000.
CMP offers customers the following tips to stay safe and comfortable if power outages do occur.
• Keep battery-operated flashlights and radios on hand, along with supplies of drinking water and non-perishable foods.
• When you use 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.
• For customers with generators:
Carefully read and observe all instructions in your generator’s owner manual.
Don’t run a generator indoors, even in an open garage.
Hire a licensed electrician to install permanent generators and transfer switches.
Make sure portable generators are properly grounded.
Don’t store fuel indoors or try to refuel a generator while it’s running.
Refer to CMP’s web page on generator safety: http://www.cmpco.com/UsageAndSafety/electricalsafety/GeneratorSafety/default.html
The company urges customers to use caution if they see downed lines.
“Everyone should stay clear of any downed power lines or fallen trees that may be tangled in the lines,” said Carroll. “These lines should be considered live and dangerous. Customers should leave the clean-up to our crews, who are trained and equipped to handle these situations safely.”
CMP also reminds drivers to use caution when approaching utility crews on slippery roads or in blowing snow. 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 website at www.cmpco.com.
