Utility workers scrambled to restore power to thousands of families in Maine as some rivers continued to rise, flooding communities and with winds reaching 96 kilometers per hour (60 mph) in some areas. At least four people died.
“We are facing days of restoration work with hundreds of workers,” Central Main Power, the state's largest electricity provider, said in an online message Monday night.
Up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) of rain fell in some cities during the storm. In Vermont, towns that flooded in July suffered the most damage. Some school districts remained closed Tuesday.
More than 5 inches (13 cm) of rain fell in parts of New Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania, according to the National Weather Service, and up to 4 inches (10 cm) of rain was recorded in other states. Winds gusted up to 70 mph (113 km/h) along the southern New England coast.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills delayed the opening of government offices until noon Tuesday to allow time for repairs and cleanup after several roads were closed due to fallen trees. An office building in Augusta will remain closed for storm-damaged scaffolding to be removed.
Mills urged people to avoid traffic in a message, saying: “If you must travel, please use caution and leave the road open for first responders and crews restoring power and clearing roads.” They have been.”
According to Poweroutage.us, Maine had about 430,000 customers without power Tuesday morning, about half of them utility customers.
Some rivers were in spate. The Androscoggin in Rumford, Maine, reached 6.7 meters (22 feet) in the 24 hours through early Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. The flood level is 4.6 meters (15 feet).
