The Midcoast is still seeing effects of this weekend’s ice storm, as many remain without power, many continue to stay off the roads, and numerous businesses and local events report early closings or cancellations to help keep people safe.

Just before 4 p.m. Monday, Waldo County Emergency Management Agency Director Dale Rowley said that a shelter was in the process of being set up at Troy Howard Middle School. The shelter will remain open as long as needed and the American Red Cross will provide cots, blankets, food and water. There are also showers available at the school.

“At 11 a.m. we had 5,000 Waldo County residents without power, that number just hit 14,000 and that’s more than half the population so we have decided to open a shelter,” said Rowley.

Rowley said the decision to open a shelter also came after learning that Central Maine Power was not going to be doing anymore restoration work Monday night.

“They have staked everything and plan to come back out in the morning tomorrow,” said Rowley.

A call to CMP has not yet been returned. The CMP outage report online shows 14,167 customers in Waldo County without power.

The National Weather Service has extended the ice storm warning Monday through 7 p.m., as persistent rains, drizzle and cold air added yet another layer of ice on everything outside during the day and overnight Sunday. There are more reports of downed trees and limbs this afternoon, and many people remain without power.

The NWS reports that a light, wintery mix of precipitation is due to taper off by evening as the low pressure system that brought the freezing rain, cold temperatures and ice moves away. Near the coast, the continued freezing rain may turn to rain with rises in the temperature, but freezing rain inland and in spots along the coast will again accumulate on most surfaces.

Roads and sidewalks will continue to be very slippery and make driving and walking difficult. Tree limbs and power lines will likely see significant accumulations, and broken limbs will post a danger to those outside and could lead to further power outages.

Travel is expected to be difficult through the evening.

Central Maine Power is reporting Waldo County is the second-hardest hit of its  customer base, following behind Kennebec County. In Waldo County, 11,697 customers are without power, and in Kennebec County, that number is 16,422. In Knox County 2,817 customers are without power.

A breakdown of power outages, by town, as of 3 p.m. follows:

Waldo County
Belfast - 1,208
Belmont - 488
Brooks - 193
Frankfort - 289
Freedom - 160
Islesboro - 922
Jackson - 106
Knox - 79
Liberty - 748
Lincolnville - 1,396
Monroe - 385
Montville - 504
Morrill - 434
Northport - 1,199
Palermo - 363
Prospect - 201
Searsmont - 807
Searsport - 655
Stockton Springs - 1,032
Swanville - 326
Thorndike - 166
Troy - 19
Unity - 44
Waldo - 78
Winterport - 261
Total - 12,063

Knox County
Appleton - 604
Camden - 42
Hope - 441
Owls Head - 16
Rockland - 29
Rockport - 576
Union - 303
Warren - 62
Washington - 893
Total - 2,966

To report an outage, call 1-800-696-1000 or if you have access to the Internet, report it online here.

So far, the following cancellations and closings have been reported. This list will be updated as new information is received. To submit a closing or cancellation for publication, email news@penbaypilot.com or call 706-6655. For the latest National Weather Center forecast, click here.

Monday, Dec. 23

• Jazz Night at the Landings Restaurant in Rockland: CANCELED

• University College at Rockland: CLOSED

• Rockport Town Office: CLOSING EARLY at Noon

• Rockport Public Library: CLOSING EARLY at Noon

• Lincolnville Select Board meeting: POSTPONED until Dec. 30 at 6 p.m.

Related stories:

• Waldo County EMA director seeking individual ice storm impacts for disaster declaration application
• Snow-packed Waldoboro driveway hinders firefighters' attempt to save home
• Red Cross provides comfort, cots to those in need
• UPDATED: CMP crews restore power to more than 100,000 customers as ice storm recovery continues
• Snow in the forecast: Iced-up Midcoast to get the most
• Christmas Eve fire destroys garage at Lincolnville home
• Central Maine Power issues power restoration update, 7 p.m., Christmas Eve
• Storm damage lingers with extensive power outages; Waldo and Knox county shelters, warming centers open
• UPDATE: Belfast, Lincolnville called to help battle overnight house fire in Northport
• UPDATE - Fire heavily damages Union home; family says cat knocked over a candle
• Waldo County EMA, Red Cross shelter open at Troy Howard Middle School
• UPDATED - Storm closings and cancellations; Ice storm warning extended to 7 p.m.
• UPDATED: Lincolnville bearing brunt of power outage, trees falling onto wires, into roads
• It's icy out there, be careful
• UPDATED: Ice storm warning - Freezing rain on snow, make way for a big mess

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.