The Portland International Jetport and thousands of residential electric customers were without power early Thursday evening after strong thunderstorms swept through southern Maine.
As of about 5 p.m., more than 10,000 Central Maine Power customers in Cumberland County were without power, according to the company’s website.
Source: Central Maine Power
Almost all of CMP’s 4,500 customers in Cape Elizabeth were without power. More than 2,600 South Portland customers were also without power, as were more than 1,600 in Scarborough.
Assistant Airport Director Zachary Sundquist confirmed that the jetport had also lost power, causing major delays to flights. He said around 5:15 p.m. that employees were doing all of their tasks manually as they waited for power to be restored.
The jetport’s website indicated that eight departures and one arrival had been delayed as of about 5 p.m.; four flights were also listed as having landed but not arrived at their gates.
The South Portland Public Works Department said it is working to address “significant damage throughout the city” at about 4:45 p.m. on Thursday.
“Public Works and Parks staff are out working and doing their best to navigate the city with the current traffic conditions,” the department said. “We are working to clear roads and reopen them as quickly as possible.”
The South Portland Police Department urged patience as crews conduct their work; officials also requested residents not call 911 unless they have a life-threatening emergency, since dispatchers are fielding an influx of calls.
The South Portland Fire Department reminded motorists to not approach or attempt to drive under or over downed wires.
Storms were also impacting areas in central, western and northern Maine on Thursday evening.
The National Weather Service issued several severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of Androscoggin, Kennebec and Sagadahoc counties, which it said could experience wind gusts up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail. The weather service also issued a similar warning for parts of Piscataquis County.
More than 600 CMP customers in Kennebec County were without power as of 5:50 p.m.
This is a developing story.