Power Outage in Portland, ME

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How to Report Power Outage

Power outage in Portland, Maine? Contact your local utility company.

Central Maine Power
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(800) 696-1000 Report Online
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Dominion Energy
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(866) 366-4357 Report Online
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Duke Energy
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(800) 419-6356 Report Online
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PPL Electric
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(800) 342-5775 Report Online
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Ameren Illinois
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(800) 755-5000 Report Online
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Portland Power Outages Caused by Weather

Events

July 25, 2022 - Thunderstorm Wind

NWS staff member reported trees and power lines down on Mountain Road.

Pumpkin Vly - Pumpkin Vly
July 12, 2022 - Thunderstorm Wind

Severe thunderstorm outflow wind gusts downed a tree across Dale Lane onto a powerline in North Windham, Maine.

Windham Hill - Windham Hill
August 7, 2018 - Thunderstorm Wind

A severe thunderstorm downed a tree onto power lines in Intervale.

Intervale - Intervale
July 27, 2018 - Thunderstorm Wind

A severe thunderstorm downed trees and power lines in North Windham.

North Windham - North Windham
July 10, 2018 - Thunderstorm Wind

A severe thunderstorm snapped power poles on the causeway to Mackworth Island.

Mackworth Pt - Mackworth Pt

Episodes

May 1, 2023

A broad area of low pressure across the Great Lakes region stalled out well to the west of the region early on Sunday, April 30th. A secondary area of low pressure developed and moved up the Eastern Seaboard and tracked across interior New England from Sunday, April 30th through Monday, May 1st. Widespread heavy rainfall occurred, and flooding was enhanced for this weather event due to the seasonal timing of the rains with spring soils being high in moisture and vegetation still being dormant. These two factors lead to increased run-off. Rain started across southern and coastal areas early on Sunday April 30th, with the heaviest rainfall Sunday night into early Monday morning. The rainfall on Sunday produced limited flooding, but set the stage for what was to come by swelling rivers and filling ditches ahead of the heavier rain. Heavy rain started around 3 AM and continued through 10 AM Monday with rainfall rates between 1 to 1.5 inches an hour. This caused flooding to rapidly develop, resulting in widespread flash flooding. The rainfall ended by midday on Monday May 1st. Runoff spilled into tributary rivers and major rivers that led to ongoing flooding for the next several days with most rivers cresting late on Monday May 1st or on May 2nd. Public infrastructure impacts were widespread for the event with over $4.2 million in damage. Oxford and Androscoggin Counties reported the most monetary damage to roads for the event. ||Another aspect of the system was a period of strong gusty winds Sunday night that started along the coastline and extended inland causing localized power outages and tree damage. Wind gusts of 50 mph were recorded at the Portland Jetport, and gusts to near 50 mph were also recorded inland. Strongest wind gusts up to 65 mph were reported across the Mid-coast region. Power outages were reported due to a few downed trees and numerous snapped tree limbs.

December 23, 2022

Beginning on December 22nd a powerful storm was developing over the Ohio River Valley. On December 23rd the center of the storm was deepening rapidly (974mb) as it lifted through the eastern Great Lakes. While the center tracked into southern Ontario, high pressure retreated into the Canadian Maritimes creating a strong pressure gradient across the region. Strong southerly winds developed as a result, with speeds in excess of 80 knots at around 2,000 feet. Several rounds of strong to damaging wind gusts occurred, which brought widespread power outages to the region with upwards to 240,000 customers without power. ||Precipitation moved into southern Maine during the late evening hours of December 22, and moved across the remainder of the state into the early morning of December 23. Snow quickly changed over to rain on the night of December 22nd, with a changeover later in the mountains towards daybreak on December 23rd. The precipitation continued through the evening hours of December 23, then gradually ended from south to north early morning, December 24. Overland flooding was prevalent for areas where rainfall exceeded 2 inches. The impacts varied from standing water in fields to complete road washouts. The runoff exceeded capacity for most feeder creeks and rivers.||The rapidly deepening area of low pressure over the Great Lakes region combined with very high astronomical tides to produce the fourth highest storm tide ever in Portland. In addition, storm to hurricane force east to southeasterly winds occurred along the coast with nearshore waves of 15 to 20 feet coinciding during peak storm surge. Significant to major coastal damage occurred during the morning high tide cycle across the beaches and Mid-Coast of Maine.

July 2, 2020

A cold front dropping southward out of Quebec combined with a moist air mass over Maine to aid in the occurrence of southward moving thunderstorms during the afternoon hours. A few storms became severe downing trees and powerlines.

July 6, 2011

Strong heating ahead of an approaching cold front generated moderate to strong instability. Instability increased as the front neared and a large line formed ahead of the front... with numerous smaller cells forming out in front of the main line. Most severe reports were almost exclusively associated with wind damage as numerous trees and power lines were downed throughout the forecast area. In addition, lightning struck the lodge at Mt. Abram Ski Resort and ignited a fire that heavily damaged the lodge.

April 16, 2007

An area of low pressure over the southeastern United States on the morning of Sunday, April 15th, rapidly intensified as it slowly moved north to near New York City by the morning of Monday, April 16th. This intense low in combination with high pressure over eastern Canada produced Overview: An area of low pressure intensified rapidly as it moved slowly from the southeastern United States on the morning of Sunday, April 15th to near New York City by the morning of Monday, April 16th. The intense low over New York City in combination with high pressure over eastern Canada produced a very intense pressure gradient across the area which caused strong east to northeast winds to develop across the region. Over land, the strong winds downed numerous trees. The downed trees caused widespread power outages, especially near the coast, and numerous road closures. Over the marine areas, the strong winds caused a storm surge and large ocean waves of up to 30 feet to develop. The combination of astronomical high tides, storm surge, and large waves contributed to coastal flooding in coastal areas of the state and severe coastal erosion in areas south of Portland.|The storm also brought heavy rain to the region which, when combined with snow melt, produced widespread flooding across much of the region. The flooding of small rivers and streams was worst in southern and coastal areas and led to numerous road closures. In the mountains, the rain was preceded by heavy snow. Flooding was minor on most mainstem rivers, however, in southern Maine, the Presumpscot River reached near record levels. |The intense low drifted very slowly eastward from Monday morning through Friday morning as it gradually weakened. During this time, the pressure gradient slowly relaxed, the winds gradually diminished, and the seas slowly subsided. However, rain continued into Tuesday across the region and each high tide during the period brought a reoccurrence of coastal flooding and erosion to the area. Power outages persisted, and stream and river flooding continued across the region during this period. Many roads remained closed.|On Friday, April 20, high pressure built eastward from the Great Lakes ending the influence of the Atlantic storm. | |Wind: The pressure gradient associated with the storm brought high winds to the region. The damage observed in the hardest hit areas was typical of wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph. While most observing sites reported winds below this range, topography, elevation, and exposure were likely factors in determining the amount of wind damage any location experienced. In addition, the heavy rain brought strong wind gusts to the ground level and contributed to the sporadic nature of the heaviest wind damage. In addition to the meteorological factors, damage from the wind was exacerbated because of the heavy rain that accompanied the wind and the soft, wet ground caused by the spring thaw.|The wind knocked over numerous trees and branches throughout the region and caused numerous and prolonged power outages throughout the region.| |Coastal Flooding/Storm Surge/Waves: The coastal storm hit during a period of very high (and very low) astronomical tides. In addition to the astronomical tides, the prolonged period of strong northeast winds caused a prolonged storm surge along the coastline. Also during this period, the strong winds caused large and battering waves along the coast. The storm tides and large waves caused significant flooding and coastal erosion. |In Portland, flood level is 12 feet. During the storm, storm tides reached or exceeded the 12 foot flood level during 7 tidal cycles. In addition, due to the large waves, coastal erosion occurred throughout the week of April 15th to 20th when the Portland gauge was above or near the 12 foot flood level. Communication was lost with NOAA���s Portland Weather Buoy shortly after 6 am Monday when it was reporting 31 foot seas.|Precipitation: Rain developed across the southern part of the state early Sunday afternoon, April 15th and spread northward. The rain became heavy during the afternoon and overnight. By Monday morning, 3 to 7 inches of rain had fallen in York County with rainfall amounts decreasing to 1 to 4 inches to the north and east. In the mountains of Maine, 2 to 7 inches of snow fell by Monday morning. Although the heaviest precipitation fell from Sunday afternoon into Monday afternoon, precipitation persisted into Tuesday. Rainfall in Southern Maine was near the 100 year recurrence interval at Sanford and Eliot.|Flooding: The heavy rain combined with snow melt to cause flooding of small rivers and streams in much of southern and central Maine. The worst flooding occurred on the smaller rivers in York County. Damage to infrastructure was severe (roads, bridges, waste water treatment plants, public buildings). Homes and businesses were also damaged. In York County, two people were killed when they attempted to cross a flooded road on foot and were swepted away. The crest on the Presumpscot River was just below the crest recorded during Hurricane Bob in August of 1991.

News

Portland Immersive Experience + Fred Meyer Coat Drive + Stand-Off | Portland, OR Patch

Portland Immersive Experience + Fred Meyer Coat Drive + Stand-Off - Portland, OR - The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Portland.

Nov 14, 2022

Folk Show Music and Dance Calendar | New Hampshire Public Radio

The Folk Show's listing of concerts, dances and events in and around our listening area.

Nov 6, 2022

Folk Music and Dance Calendar 10.30.22 | New Hampshire Public Radio

The Folk Show's listing of open mics, dances and shows in and around our listening area.

Oct 30, 2022

CMP's Updated List of Power Outages in Maine

Here are the number of power outages that have been reported to Central Maine Power.

Oct 14, 2022

High winds, heavy rain could cause some flooding, power outages by week’s end - Portland Press Herald

The storm is forecast to sweep into Maine on Thursday night and last through the day Friday.

Oct 12, 2022

Squirrel leaves thousands without power in Bangor | WPFO

A squirrel left much of Bangor without power Sunday morning.

Oct 9, 2022

Power outage shuts down Pleasant Prairie Police phone lines; department looks into future prevention

The Pleasant Prairie Police Department is meeting with village leadership after a power outage shut down the department’s non-emergency lines for several hours Sunday evening, Sept. 25, during a severe

Sep 27, 2022

User Comments…

Are you affected? Leave your comment below.

Neighbor’s power came back. My power came back for a split second then went out again after a big bang!

Brien | February 15, 2021  

Neighbor’s power came back. My power came back for a split second then went out again after a big bang!

Brien | February 15, 2021  

Neighbors have lost power, Heard a BIG BANG!

Brinn C Hemmingson | October 18, 2020  

Neighbors have lost power, Heard a BIG BANG!

Brinn C Hemmingson | October 18, 2020  

Neighbors have lost power, Heard a BIG BANG!

Brinn C Hemmingson | October 18, 2020  

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Story: https://t.co/RiplYKskNu

@JohnnyWGME | 04:42 AM - 3 Mar 2023

Power Outage FAQs

What is Power Outage?

Power outage (also called a power cut, a power blackout, power failure or a blackout) is a short-term or a long-term loss of the electric power to a particular area.

What Causes Power Outages?

  • Severe weather (high winds, lightning, winter storms, heat waves, rain or flooding can cause damage to power lines or equipment);
  • Other damage to electric transmission lines (vehicle accidents, trees, and animals can cause damage to power lines or equipment);
  • Repairing, maintenance or upgrades on power lines and equipment.

What are the Top Outage Safety Tips?

  • Stay away from the downed power lines, park vehicles in protected areas;
  • Unplug appliances and electronics, limit cell phone use to conserve battery life;
  • Use portable generators outdoors only, well away from open windows and doors;
  • Pack perishable foods into a cooler, keep refrigerator and freezer doors shut as much as possible.

Related Cities

Report power outage in other Maine cities.

Portland, Maine

City Portland
County Cumberland
State Maine (ME)
Country United States
Zip Codes 04101, 04102, 04103, 04104, 04109, 04112, 04122, 04123, 04124

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