Maine - As a major winter and ice storm continues to cause power outages and treacherous travel conditions, Governor Paul R. LePage announced today that the State of Emergency he declared on December 21 is still in effect, which ensures that all available State resources would be available to assist affected communities.
The Governor urges Mainers to stay safe and to take care of themselves and their neighbors. “After assuring that your family is safe, check in on friends and neighbors who may need assistance,” Governor LePage said. “Neighbors helping neighbors save lives. Please share safety information with those who might not have received it.” (Information is listed at end of release.)
The Governor is in constant contact with Maine Emergency Management Agency’s State Emergency Operations Center, which coordinates MEMA staff with state departments, including ACF, MaineDOT, DPS and Maine State Police, Public Utilities Commission, and the Red Cross.
Governor LePage and MEMA have issued these critical safety messages:
Ice on roadways and falling trees and power lines will make travel dangerous or impossible.
Travel is strongly discouraged. If you must travel, keep emergency supplies in your car such as flashlight, food and water.
Keep a safe distance from other vehicles, including plow trucks. “Please don’t crowd the plow.”
All the utilities are reminding the public that no fallen power line is safe to touch. If you find a downed power line, call your electric utility immediately
Death can result from improper use of generators. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, use generators outside only, at least 15 feet away from doors and windows. Have a carbon monoxide detector with battery back-up where people sleep.
Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, nausea, vomiting or dizziness. Get out of the house and call 911 at once.
For power outage reports, contact:
Bangor Hydro/Maine Public Service: 1-800-440-1111 (Central and Downeast Maine) and 877-655-4448 (Northern Maine) or http://bhe.com/about-us/outages-and-restorations.aspx;
Central Maine Power at 1-800-696-1000 or http://www.cmpco.com/Outages/outageinformation.html;
Eastern Maine Electric: (207) 454-7555 Ext. 250, (800) 696-7444 Ext. 250.
Ice Storm Shelter Status
As of 10 a.m., these shelters are open:
Kennebec: Helen Thompson Elementary School: OPEN. Warming Center, West Gardiner, 309 Spears Corner Road. Open today from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Kennebec: Winthrop Ambulance Base: OPEN. Warming Center, Winthrop, 31 Old Western Ave. (Old Winthrop Health Center). Open today from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Penobscot: Brewer Municipal Auditorium: OPEN. Emergency Shelter, Brewer, 203 State Street
Waldo: Troy Howard Middle School: OPEN. Emergency Shelter, Pet Shelter, Belfast, 173 Lincolnville Avenue
Waldo: Varney Community Center: OPEN. Warming Center, Brooks, 24 Veterans Highway
Waldo: Stockton Springs Town Office: OPEN. Warming Center, Stockton Springs, 217 Main Street, 567-3404
Washington: Washington County Community College: OPEN. Emergency Shelter, Calais, 1 College Drive
For more help and information:
Life or safety-threatening emergency: Call 9-1-1
For shelter locations or other health and safety resources: Dial 2-1-1 (toll free) or http://www.211maine.org
Maine Prepares: http://www.maineprepares.com
Maine Emergency Management Agency: http://www.maine.gov/mema
National Weather Service Gray: http://www.weather.gov/gray
https://www.facebook.com/US.NationalWeatherService.Gray.gov
National Weather Service Caribou: http://www.weather.gov/caribou
https://www.facebook.com/US.NationalWeatherService.Caribou.gov
Maine DOT Travel Information: 511maine.gov or dial 5-1-1 (toll-free)
MEMA on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MaineEMA
MEMA on Twitter: @MaineEMA (twitter.com/MaineEMA)
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