STORM SUMMARY: Winter/Ice Storm Settling in over Maine

The State Emergency Operations Center is activated in response to a major winter storm targeting Maine.

Situation:

A major winter storm is affecting the entire State of Maine. Warnings /Advisories in place:

* Freezing Rain Advisory (1/4 inch of ice): York County * Winter Storm Warning: Significant snowfall, with some sleet and freezing rain: Aroostook, Northern Oxford, Franklin, Penobscot, Central and Northern Somerset and Piscataquis Counties, * Ice Storm Warning: One half inch or more of freezing rain: Remainder of the State

National Weather Service indicates that freezing rain and drizzle *will continue into Monday in many areas, causing locally dangerous conditions*. Because of the long duration, both NWS forecast offices are still forecasting a total of one half to three-quarters of an inch of ice in the warning areas, with local amounts of an inch possible. All parties should continue to monitor local weather forecasts.

Outage reports:

* Bangor Hydro/Maine Public Service as of 11:30 am reported approximately 14,000 accounts out, most in Hancock and Washington Counties * http://bhe.com/about-us/outages-and-restorations.aspx * Central Maine Power as of 11:30 am, approximately 4,000 out * http://www.cmpco.com/Outages/outageinformation.html * Eastern Maine Electric as of 11:30 reported approximately 500 accounts out of power.

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 was activated at 8:00 am at Level 2 status (MEMA staff plus DACF/Forestry, MaineDOT, DPS/Maine State Police, Public Utilities Commission and Red Cross * Warming center open at 31 Turkey Lane in Buxton; however has no occupants presently and therefore may close this afternoon * 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

Critical Safety messages:

* 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 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 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: 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)