STORM SUMMARY: Winter Storm Throwing Final Punch at Maine

The National Weather Service is forecasting that the snow, sleet and ice storm that has been pummeling Maine will begin to move out for good late this afternoon. Restoration of power will continue through the day and into tomorrow as necessary. Travel conditions remain dangerous, especially on side roads.

Situation:

A major winter storm continued to affect the entire State of Maine. Warnings /Advisories in place:

* Freezing Rain Advisory: York County until 4:00 pm this evening, central Penobscot and northern Washington until 6:00 pm * Ice Storm Warning: Until 4:00 pm in southern Oxford, Franklin and Somerset, Cumberland, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Waldo, Knox, Sagadahoc, Lincoln. Until 6:00 pm in Southern Penobscot, central and coastal Washington, Hancock Counties. Winter Weather Advisory: Until 4:00 pm in northern Oxford, Franklin and Penobscot, Piscataquis, southeast Aroostook, central and northern Somerset. * All warnings have expired in the far north * See all current watches, warnings and advisories at http://www.maineprepares.com

Weather for Tuesday and Wednesday will be cold, but mostly clear. All parties should continue to monitor local weather forecasts.

Outage reports:

As of 11:00:

* Bangor Hydro/Maine Public Service reported approximately 17,500 accounts out, most in Hancock and Washington Counties * http://bhe.com/about-us/outages-and-restorations.aspx * Central Maine Power, approximately 5,000 out * http://www.cmpco.com/Outages/outageinformation.html * Eastern Maine Electric reported that their outage numbers fluctuate as restoration continues but new locations go out.

All utilities are moving crews from lesser hit areas to those with more damage. Although all hope at full restoration by this evening, it is possible that some locations will be out until Tuesday

Power outage numbers are fluctuating as restoration takes place and new outages are reported.

Injuries/Fatalities:

* None reported

Other impacts/responses:

* The State Emergency Operations Center remains at partial activation, staffed by MEMA personnel, with Emergency Response Team members on standby. * Read crews have made good progress keeping up with ice conditions on major routes, but some side roads, as well as sidewalks, may be remain slippery and treacherous. * County Emergency Management Agencies are coordinating responses in their areas, and report no requests for assistance or major damage. * The American Red Cross is standing by to staff shelters as the need warrants: no Red Cross shelters are open at this time

Declarations:

* Governor Paul R. LePage declared a State of Emergency on December 21, to ensure that all State resources would be available to assist affected communities. This declaration remains in effect.

Critical Safety messages:

As the storm continues, so do the dangers posed by icy roads and power outages.

* After ensuring that your family is safe, check in on friends and neighbors who may need assistance. Neighbors helping neighbors save lives. Share safety information with those who might not have received it. * Ice on sidewalks, walkways and dooryards will likely make for slippery going. Tread carefully, and put down sand or other material for traction on walkways around your home. * Ice on roadways and falling trees and power lines will continue to make travel dangerous or inadvisable. * 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 and salt/sand 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 more help and information:

* Life or safety-threatening emergency: Call 9-1-1 * Power outage or downed power line: Call your electric utility * Central Maine Power: 1-800-696-1000 * Bangor Hydro/Maine Public Service: 1-800-440-1111 (Central and Downeast Maine) and 877-655-4448 (Northern Maine) * Eastern Maine Electric: (207) 454-7555 Ext. 250, (800) 696-7444 Ext. 250 * For shelter locations or other health and safety resources: Dial 2-1-1 (toll free) or http://www.211maine.org * Maine Prepares (weather alerts and safety information): 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)

This will be the final summary issued for this event unless conditions change unexpectedly.