ROCKLAND – Saved by the sidewalk plow! Traffic in Downtown Rockland briefly stood still just after 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 14. Due to narrowed lanes caused by snow piles from the recent blizzard, a tractor-trailer truck attempting to turn onto Main Street lost vital turning space.

The semi attempted numerous reverse position changes to Lindsey Street and forward tight turns as lunchtime commuters sat, confused by the wall of vehicle blocking both lanes.

Approaching drivers from the south were able to detour up Limerock Street. Others had to sit and wait.

Good Samaritan Steven Grierson of Cushing backed his pickup truck down Main Street and hooked a tow line to the semi’s bumper. The subsequent tug from the pickup to pull forward at least a few more feet.

Eventually, a City sidewalk plow cleared the snow, allowing the space for further forward motion and return of normal traffic patterns.  (Click to see Brandyn Grierson’s video of the event.)

Fortunately, for all involved, the tie-up happened today, and not during the height of the storm.

Around 10:45 a.m., March 13, a car went off the road on the Camden Road in Hope before catching fire. The Hope Fire Department tended to the scene.

At 1:30 p.m., residents in the South End of Rockland lost power for about 40 minutes. When the power went out, two people happened to be in an elevator at the hotel, 250 Main. Firefighters opened the doors for them soon after.

In Warren, a delivery truck become stuck in the middle of a street.

And, as they often do in a slippery snowstorm, a plethora of cars slid off roads all across the region. Trees fell, and wires flapped in the wind.

Sarah Thompson can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com