CARIBOU, Maine — The National Weather Service has upgraded what began as severe thunderstorm watches to a tornado warning for parts of Penobscot, Piscataquis and Aroostook counties.
As of 4:14 p.m., the Caribou office’s Doppler radar indicated what appeared to be a tornado near Oxbow Plantation, about 40 miles north of Patten, according to a warning posted on the weather service office’s website. The possible tornado, which has yet to be confirmed, reportedly was moving east at 40 mph.
A preliminary local storm report issued about 5 p.m. indicated that there were widespread reports of trees down along Route 11, where an Aroostook County sheriff’s deputy’s ability to travel was impeded by downed trees, a county emergency dispatcher confirmed.
Meteorologist Rich Norton said that deputy reported to the weather service that several people with chain saws were cutting away fallen trees and limbs to free the deputy.
There also were reports of downed trees and similar thunderstorm damage in Littleton and Monticello, the dispatcher said.
Shortly after 2:30 p.m., the weather service’s Gray office issued warnings for six counties. Hot and humid weather roasted the state throughout the day.
Forecasted severe weather includes high winds and severe thunderstorms capable of producing hail.
Severe thunderstorm warnings, watches and advisories remain in effect through 10 p.m. for all but coastal Maine, where a hazardous weather outlook was in effect.
In addition, a flood advisory in effect for central Aroostook County through 7:45 p.m.
Thunderstorms knock out power to thousands across the state
Posted Sept. 12, 2013, at 8:50 a.m.
BANGOR, Maine — Thunderstorms that swept through the state Wednesday night have knocked out power to multiple Bangor Hydro and Central Maine Power customers.
According to Bangor Hydro’s website, approximately 2,022 customers were in the dark as of 9 a.m. Monday.
The bulk of those outages — 1,963 of them — were on the west side of Bangor, according to the site. All customers are expected to have power restored by 11 a.m.
Central Maine Power reported 7,244 outages as of 9 a.m., its website indicates.
The majority of the outages was in Knox and Waldo counties, with 4,408 customers without power in Knox County and 1,003 in the dark in Waldo County.
It was not clear when power was expected to be restored to CMP customers.
Powerful winds, rain damage Woodstock buildings
Memorial service in Fredericton halted because of heavy rains
Posted: Sep 12, 2013 7:06 AM AT
Last Updated: Sep 12, 2013 9:03 AM AT
A severe thunderstorm swept through New Brunswick on Wednesday night and caused significant damage to buildings in western New Brunswick.
Ken Harding, the chief administrative officer in Woodstock, said the powerful winds tore the roof off a local business called the Pantry Gift Shop.
The storm downed trees and at the peak of the storm, 7,000 NB Power customers were without electricity. As of 8:53 a.m. on Thursday, there were 4,420 customers without power in the Woodstock area, according to NB Power.
Harding said the worst damage was to the Carleton Civic Centre.
"Part of the roof has blown off the centre, the area covering the pool," Harding said.
"The membrane roof has disappeared. The roofing structure and underlayment is still intact but the membrane part of the roof is gone. So that's a pretty big loss."
Construction began last week to expand the civic centre.
Harding said there were no reports of injuries.
Memorial service halted
The rain storm hit Fredericton during a memorial service for the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks on Wednesday. The event had to be moved inside because of the storm.
The rains also caused a rare cancellation for the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival.
Wednesday night's free opening concert in Officer's Square had to be halted after just one number from the St. Thomas University jazz band.
Harvest organizers watching the forecast were concerned the downpour would be too much for the tent and equipment to handle.
The audience was given free admittance to another concert to make up for the missed concert.
The aftermath of the storm is still being felt in Fredericton as well. NB Power was reporting 539 power outages in Fredericton on Thursday morning. In total, 5,051 outages were reported in the province Thursday morning.
Classes at Fredericton’s Devon Middle School have been cancelled on Thursday because of the power outage.
