The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement late Sunday morning warning of “near blizzard conditions” and snowfall rates of one inch an hour as the first snow storm of the season hit Lincoln County. At 4:58 p.m. Central Maine Power reported 16,602 power outages in Lincoln County. The area now remains under a Winter Storm Warning until 10 p.m. on Sunday, according to the NWS.
The NWS warned of “treacherous driving and near whiteout conditions” during the periods of heavy snowfall.
First responders were also busy around Lincoln County. Rt. 1 in Waldoboro was closed during the late morning hours due to an incident. The major thoroughfare reopened at 12:16 p.m., however numerous reports of vehicles experiencing difficulty on the slippery grades through in town Waldoboro continued to come in. Another report was received of a large truck unable to negotiate the hill on southbound Rt. 1 near the Davey Bridge. Scattered reports of trees and wire down continued into the early afternoon hours.
Lincoln County residents are encouraged to stay off the roads until the worst of the storm passes Sunday afternoon, and even then to exercise caution regarding trees and wires that may be down in the roadway.
Sustained winds of 25-35 mph from the north-northeast are forecast to become northerly and then slide to the north-northwest during the event. Gusts are forecast in the 55 mph range.
The NWS bulletin calls for the possibility of up to 6 inches of accumulated snowfall.
The Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, according to the NWS.
The Lincoln County News will continue to follow the progress of this event and post any additional information here as soon as it is obtained.
