Possible Tornadoes Touch Down in Aroostook County

OXBOW PLANTATION, Maine (AP) — The National Weather Service is investigating whether powerful thunderstorms spawned not one, but two tornadoes. Utility crews, meanwhile, continue to restore power to thousands of homes and businesses.

Meteorologist Joe Hewitt in Caribou says a team is seeking to confirm reports Wednesday night of a possible twister around Oxbow. He also says weather radar suggested a second possible tornado near the Monticello-Littleton area.

The National Weather Service says there were more than 1,000 lightning strikes per hour at the height of the storm. Trees and power lines were knocked down across the region, and an electric substation was damaged.

More than 20,000 homes and businesses were in the dark at the storm's peak. Central Maine Power and Bangor Hydro Electric Co. had more than 6,000 customers without electricity Thursday morning.