A thunderstorm took down trees and power lines in Cumberland County on Tuesday evening.

With gusts up to 60 mph, the storm moved from South Windham southeast to Casco Bay. Meteorologist John Cannon at the National Weather Service in Gray said there were reports of storm damage throughout the region.

“We have a strong cold front going through the region, and when you get that in July, you tend to have trouble,” particularly in the late afternoon and early-evening hours, Cannon said.

The weather service also received reports of pea-sized hail in some areas. The storm did not produce a tornado at any point, Cannon said. Still, the conditions caused nearly 4,000 power outages in Cumberland County, according to Central Maine Power Co. The majority – more than 3,300 – were reported in Portland.

By 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, power had been restored to all but about 300 customers throughout CMP’s service area, and only 124 were still without power in Cumberland County.

The Portland dispatch center was overwhelmed with calls about downed power lines, tree debris and traffic lights out. The Falmouth Police Department posted on its Facebook page that Mackworth Island was closed due to storm damage.

“We are currently trying to evacuate anyone there until damage can be accessed and repaired,” the post reads.

While the winds continued over Casco Bay, a dispatcher said the U.S. Coast Guard did not receive any distress calls related to the storm.

Send questions/comments to the editors.

« Previous

Next »

filed under: