Jul 18, 2008 11:16 pm US/Eastern
Storms Knock Out Power To 22,000 Customers
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Some 22,000 customers in Maine and New Hampshire were without power for a time Friday night after a series of severe thunderstorms swept across the area, knocking down trees and dropping nickel-sized hail.
Several bands of storms with torrential downpours and high winds made their way across Maine and New Hampshire Friday afternoon, leaving nearly 20,000 Central Maine Power customers without power at the height of the storm as trees toppled onto power lines.
In New Hampshire, about 2,200 PSNH customers scattered throughout the state were without power. Crews were working to restore power.
Across Cumerland and York counties in Maine, residents reported downed trees blocking several major roads. According to the National Weather Service, lightning struck a house in South Portland.
CMP reported nearly 14,000 power outages late Friday evening. Spokeman John Carroll said about 6,500 customers were without power in towns south and west of Portland including Windham, Westbrook and Scarborough, and about 6,400 in York County. He said most would not be restored until Saturday.
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