AUGUSTA — Central Maine Power projects virtually all remaining customer outages will be restored by this evening, April 14, completing outage restoration work hampered by Monday’s wind and driving rain, according to a news release.

The company has approximately 6,500 accounts to restore, mostly in Penobscot and Waldo counties, the release noted.

Outages being restored today are a combination of those caused by the initial storm last Thursday and by the coastal winds Monday.

In addition to CMP’s 100 internal crews, the company is being assisted Tuesday by 225 contractors from in- state and out of state as well as Canadian utility crews.

“I know I speak for everyone at CMP when I say that we are grateful for the patience of our customers,” said Doug Herling, president and CEO of CMP. “We know that being without power for any length of time is difficult and our customers have shown great patience over these challenging days especially as Mainers are having to remain in their homes. Over the past two days we have seen an outpouring of support from our customers for our line crews. They have worked hard over a holiday weekend and in very challenging conditions and they appreciate the positive thoughts and comments.”

CMP follows a restoration process where in coordination with local Emergency Management Agencies, the company clears roads of any downed wires, poles and branches, the release stated.

After making roads safe, CMP ensures critical facilities such as hospitals, medical facilities and grocery stores have power; then focuses on locations that restore larger numbers of customers at once, and then restores equipment and lines serving smaller numbers of customers, per the release.

With driving rain and hazardous road conditions, crews must take extra care to work safely, and bucket trucks cannot operate in extreme wind conditions, the release said. 

The company asks that for the health and safety of the working crews and the public that customers not approach lineworkers on work sites.