Ice Storm update

So far, Bangor's power outage rate has dropped from 10,000 to 7,600, and about 600 or so in our area - but not for us, we still have power.

Also, just for the record, we have heard that many young folks are worried that this ice storm may have an adverse impact on Santa's big trip starting Tuesday night. Not to worry. We have it on excellent authority that everything is right on schedule.

How do we know? Well, its like this, Santa told the elves, who told the Reindeer, who have a lot of cousins with all of the moose down here in Maine who got it straight from the reindeer, who then told the wild dogs and coyotes who told the turkey flocks, and you KNOW how turkeys love to talk! That is the straight truth of it. 

When you live in Maine, this is how we know stuff like that? 

Ice Storm Warning 

Expires 12:00 PM EST on December 23, 2013

Statement as of 3:45 PM EST on December 22, 2013

Ice Storm Warning remains in effect until noon EST Monday...

* ice accumulations... around one half of an inch.

* Hazard types... freezing rain.

* Timing... freezing rain will continue on and off through Monday

morning.

* Impacts... freezing rain will cause ice to accumulate on

exposed surfaces. Roads and sidewalks will become very

slippery and make driving and walking difficult. Tree limbs

and power lines will likely see significant accumulations.

Snapped limbs will pose a danger to those outside and could

lead to power outages.

 

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

An Ice Storm Warning means severe winter weather conditions are

expected or occurring. Significant amounts of ice accumulations

will make travel dangerous or impossible. Travel is strongly

discouraged. Commerce will likely be severely impacted. If you

must travel... keep an extra flashlight... food... and water in your

vehicle in case of an emergency. Ice accumulations and winds will

likely lead to snapped power lines and falling tree branches that

add to the danger.

During power outages... one of the greatest hazards is improper

use of generators. Portable generators must go outside... at

least 15 feet from windows or doors... to avoid life-threatening

Carbon monoxide (co) poisoning. Co gas can be deadly if it builds

up inside a home... garage... or basement. Have a co detector

with battery back-up where people sleep. Check detector

batteries. Do not use grills or Camp stoves indoors. Signs of co

poisoning are headache... nausea... vomiting... dizziness. Co can

cause loss of consciousness and death. If you suspect co

poisoning... get out of the house and call 911 at once.