According to the Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency nearly 14,000 people were left without power as a result of the “Halloween snow storm” on Oct. 30.
Reporting to the Lincoln County Commissioners Nov. 1, Tod Hartung, Assistant to the Lincoln County EMA Director said over 470 roads were impacted by the storm.
Bristol, South Bristol, Southport, and Westport suffered total power outages, Hartung said.
According to a chart provided by Hartung, power outages peaked late morning. By 8 p.m. the number of people without power had been halved, and by the next morning just over 1000 Lincoln County residents were still without electricity.
“CMP was very quick to respond to this,” said Hartung.
According to Lincoln County EMA Director Tim Pellerin, the brunt of the storm hit further south where the winds were more powerful.
“It could have been a lot worse, but we were prepared for it,” Pellerin said.
Also Nov. 1, Hartung and Pellerin updated the commissioners regarding an EMA natural disaster training exercise Oct. 18.
Lincoln County EMA, Lincoln County Healthcare, and numerous emergency service agencies participated in a functional tabletop drill Oct. 18. The drill simulated a tsunami-like wave striking the Boothbay-region waterfront.
According to information provided by Lincoln County EMA, the drill tested the patient surge capacity of St. Andrew’s and Miles Memorial Hospital, the off-site leadership of the two hospitals, and the interoperability between the hospitals and emergency service workers.
Thirty-one emergency service agencies participated in the drill, including the United States Coast Guard, the Maine State Marine Patrol, and various EMA’s from around the state.
According to Lincoln County EMA, first responders and hospital staff worked well together and successfully developed a sound strategy to overcome the challenges posed by the drill.
“There were great learning tools from this, “Pellerin said. “I’m very pleased with the outcome.””
Pellerin said it took a year to organize this drill.
“I’m really proud of my staff that put this together,” Pellerin said.
EMA urges disaster preparedness
Pellerin urged citizens of Lincoln County to prepare a three-day emergency kit in case a winter storm knocks out electricity for an extended period of time.
“People need to know that preparedness starts at home,” Pellerin said.
The kit should contain three days worth of food, a gallon of water per person per day, a battery-powered or hand crank radio, and a flashlight, among other things.
