Thousands Still Without Power in Maine Three Days After Wind Storm

Utility crews are hard at work across Maine in the wake of a damaging wind and rain storm that swept across the region two days before Christmas.

Due to damage from high winds Friday night and early Saturday, approximately 70,000 Versant Power customers were left without power, or over one-third of the utility's total customer base. That number was down to about 47,000 by midday Saturday.

UPDATE: As of 8:00 a.m. Monday, Versant reported about 11,000 of its customers were still without electricity.  They expect to restore nearly all customers by the end of the day Wednesday

The utility is urging residents not to attempt to remove downed lines or trees that are in contact with them. See Versant live outage map here

Meanwhile, Central Maine Power reported over 170,000 of its customers lost power during the height of the storm.  UPDATE: On Monday morning, CMP said power outages were still affecting about 14,000 homes & other addresses. See CMP live outage map here

Warming Centers in Aroostook County

Power has been restored in Houlton but if someone is in need of help, please call Houlton Police at 532-2287

The Fort Fairfield Community Center was open Saturday as a warming center, but it has since closed since no one was using it. If anyone needs a warm place, please call Fort Fairfield Fire Rescue at 472-3809 for assistance.

Limestone Fire Department was also open Saturday as a community warming center.

For those in Fort Kent and surrounding towns, please contact Fort Kent Police Department at 834-6550 to make arrangements.