A heavy, wet snow blanket

Messy conditions send many cars off roads, long wait for tow trucks

Wed, 11/26/2014 - 8:45pm

    It’s been nonstop slipping and sliding off local roads as the latest snowstorm deposits upwards of six inches and more in the Midcoast. In Rockport, Public Work crews have been plowing and sanding since mid-afternoon; likewise, police and Knox and Waldo County Sheriff’s deputies have been tending to stranded motorists whose cars have gone off roads, or worse, crashed into poles and ditches.

    “It’s really slippery,” said Rockport Public Works Director Mike Young, at 9 p.m. Nov. 26.

    On Route 1 in Lincolnville, firefighters were called soon after 8 p.m. to tend to a tree on the wires that knocked out power to parts of the town.

    “Conditions are not that great,” said Lincolnville Fire Chief Ben Hazen. “It was nearly a white-out on the way there. The wind is picking up. Heavy, wet snow, again. Anyone who doesn’t need to be out, please don’t travel.”

    At 9:20 p.m., Rockport firefighters were called to Annis Lane for reports of a tree on the wires, and on fire.

    Forecasters are calling for more snow tonight and into the morning with this nor’easter, which is pounding Southern Maine and New Hampshire harder tonight than the Midcoast. 

    Central Maine Power is reporting the most power outages in York and Cumberland counties (see chart below).

    The majority of calls for help in this storm have involved cars going off roads as driving conditions deteriorated in the afternoon and evening.

    On Route 17 in Rockport, near the intersection of South Street, a car (see photos) went off the road and hit a power pole. The driver and passenger were uninjured, although one suffered minor facial lacerations. Neither were transported to the hospital.

    Municipal Public Work crews, as well as private snow plowers, will be out in force through the night. 

    We’re going to go till it stops,” said Young. “Then maybe we will go hunting.”

        Update: Nov 26, 2014 07:43 PM
    Detail by County is listed below.
    County Total Customers
    by County
    Customers Without Power
    ANDROSCOGGIN 54,376 1,331
    CUMBERLAND 155,804 11,854
    FRANKLIN 22,552 148
    HANCOCK 5,993 1
    KENNEBEC 69,251 497
    KNOX 25,005 120
    LINCOLN 26,568 2,034
    OXFORD 39,548 1,883
    PENOBSCOT 13,427 107
    PISCATAQUIS 9,535 1
    SAGADAHOC 20,618 3,869
    SOMERSET 29,079 75
    WALDO 23,955 1,073
    YORK 115,792 18,958