Fast-Moving Midday Storm Downs Trees & Powerlines Across Eastern Maine Thursday
Forecasters like WABI's Todd Simcox mentioned the possibility of some wild weather action Thursday...
"A cold front will push through the state this afternoon, bringing us some scattered showers and thunderstorms through the mid-late afternoon hours. Some of the storms could be on the stronger side with gusty winds and heavy rainfall. "
They weren't lying. A fast-moving midday storm with heavy rain and gusty winds is exactly what hit the region in the early afternoon on Thursday, sending both trees and power lines crashing down into yards, on top of homes, and in the middle of roadways all over Eastern Maine.
Local first responders had their hands full, as reports of storm-related issues came pouring into dispatch centers across the area.
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In Hermon, parts of Union Street between Billings Road and Crogan Road were closed for a while in the afternoon due to a downed line.
Joshua Burnett was at home watching TV with his kids in Corinth. His house is on Main Street by the intersection of Route 15 and Route 43.
He said the power flickered, and when he got up, he heard the radio from the firetruck go off. That's when he stepped out onto his front porch and snapped this picture.
Route 15 in Orrington was hit particularly hard, as was Stillwater Avenue in Bangor on the Broadway end, and Route 9 in Eddington. Folks in Stetson were hit hard, too.
The Orono Police shut down part of Forest Avenue.
Liz Cyr-Chin and her mom were driving up Valley Ave. in Bangor when they were met with a downed tree.
Patty Leonard-Newey was driving up Union Street near Hermon when she came across this scene.
Folks in parts of Hermon, Bangor, Clifton, Brewer, and other surrounding towns were without power as a result of the storm.
Jannelle Russell says she was watching the weather pick up from her home in Milford when she called her 15-year-old son to get home quickly!
"I called my teenage son on the way home to tell him we had possible bad weather coming in, and it could last a few hours, so he may want to ride home from his grandfather’s house as soon as possible"
Minutes after he had arrived home safely, she watched a large tree fall right across her driveway, narrowly missing where he had just come through.
"That tree couldn’t have fallen in a better direction. Just moments before, my son had rushed home trying to beat the storm and rode his bike to that garage to put it away. We had also just pulled in and turned around. The branches grazed the backside of the van as it fell. I am thoroughly thanking God that the timing happened as it did or it could have been a potentially tragic story."
Nancy DeCeser was at home, too, in Brewer when the storm hit Thursday afternoon. She says she heard a loud sound.
"...it was like an explosion. Thought we got hit by lightning!"
She then noticed water coming through one of her bedroom windows. It wasn't until she went out to check the house, which was in the process of being re-sided, that she realized a tree had fallen on it.
Despite the damage, DeCesere says the damage can be repaired; the most important thing is that no one got hurt.
"We’re ok, that’s all that matters."
There are still reports coming in of roads closed and damage done due to the quick but powerful storm that tore through Maine, so we don't yet know the full extent of its impact.
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What we know this: there's still a risk of road closures because of dangerous roads with lines and trees down, and tens of thousands of people are without power, thanks to Thursday's wild weather. We will bring you updated information as it's released.
Please stay safe out there.
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