Storm leaves northern N.E. powerless

Lows for early today were forecast in the single digits in northern Maine, and about 20 degrees in the south, the National Weather Service said.

Governor John Baldacci declared a state of emergency, extending the hours that power crews can work to restore electricity. Baldacci, who was in Washington attending a National Governors Association conference, returned to Maine yesterday afternoon.

Central Maine Power and Bangor Hydro Electric were getting help from out-of-state utilities that sent line crews to help restore service. The companies said the work was complicated by deep and heavy snow, poor road conditions, and the rural locations of many outages.

Heavy snow fell across most of Maine through yesterday morning, with some places reporting rates of 3 to 4 inches per hour.

In Vermont, driving snow covered roads and forced the closure of northbound Interstate 89 between Waterbury and Richmond for two hours yesterday because of accidents, the Vermont State Police said.

"We're having a hell of a time right now," said Larry Dodge, a Vermont Transportation Agency dispatcher.

Several thousand customers in eastern New Hampshire also lost power, but most had their lights back on by afternoon.

Hundreds of schools in Maine canceled classes for the day on what was supposed to be the first day back after a weeklong vacation. The storm caused some school closings in Vermont and New Hampshire, but many were already closed for vacation.

The deepest snowfall was in the northern Maine town of Milo, which received 28 inches, according to the weather service. Other impressive amounts included 26 inches in Farmington and 25 inches in Bridgton, both in Maine. New Durham, N.H., reported 17 inches.