PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Utility crews on Tuesday worked through a fifth consecutive day of power restoration in Maine after a snowstorm followed by strong winds.
Central Maine Power and Emera Maine had a combined total of about 35,000 customers without power Tuesday morning. Another 45,000 homes and businesses were without electricity in Massachusetts.
But progress was being made: The number of power outages had been cut to 10,000 in Maine and 19,000 in Massachusetts by Tuesday afternoon.
In Maine, it has been a punishing stretch for line workers and tree crews since a snowstorm Thursday night and Friday morning knocked out power to more than a quarter-million homes and businesses.
Workers were on the verge of completing the restorations when a storm packing gusts of nearly 60 mph blew down trees and tree limbs, creating new outages Monday.
Doug Herling, CMP’s president and CEO, said workers were practicing social distancing to protect themselves from the coronavirus.
“Over the past two days we have seen an outpouring of support from our customers for our line crews,” he said. “They have worked hard over a holiday weekend and in very challenging conditions and they appreciate the positive thoughts and comments.”
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