The powerful winter storm blanketing Maine has caused widespread power outages affecting well over 100,000 customers.

The combination of wet snow, sleet, and strong, gusty winds has brought trees and tree limbs down onto electrical lines.

Central Maine Power reports over 85,000 homes and businesses are without electricity Friday morning. In Emera Maine's territory, approximately 24,000 customers were without  power at the height of the storm Emera crews  have restored roughly 10,000 of those since daybreak. Crews have been redeployed to address hardest–hit areas and will remain in the field making repairs until all customers are restored. The utility says some customers in rural areas may well be off until Saturday.

Emera Maine's Storm Response Team has been preparing for the storm for several days and the company says its full resources are being dedicated to restoring power safely and as quickly as possible.

Customers can assist in the restoration by ensuring side roads and driveways are plowed and well sanded to allow utility crews access to make repairs.

NB Power reports over 10,000 customers without electricity in New Brunswick.  Few, if any, are in Carleton, Victoria and Madawaska Counties.

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