MAINE, USA — A snow and ice storm wreaked havoc on Maine's roads Saturday, causing at least 200 crashes across the state.
Maine State Police reported about 210 crashes and slide-offs on state highways Saturday into Sunday, including one involving a truck driver who crashed head-on into a plow vehicle in Readfield at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday. The impact sent the truck into an inlet of Maranacook Lake; the driver escaped unharmed, according to police. Four of the crashes involved people receiving minor injuries, according to Shannon Moss, spokesperson for the state Department of Public Safety.
"Please drive slow, leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you, stay off the phone and stay home if at all possible," state police said in a statement.
In Kennebunk, a tractor-trailer crashed into a guardrail on Interstate 95 Saturday, while in North Yarmouth, two vehicles were involved in a crash that sent one down a ditch.
Roads remained dangerous Sunday afternoon due to power lines down in some areas and icy conditions. There were scattered road closures across the state from downed trees and power lines.
"Please check on your neighbors," Gov. Janet Mills said in a statement. "Give plenty of space to utility crews as they work to restore power. Be careful of ice covered trees. NEVER touch a downed power line or tree in contact with a downed line."
Those without power can find a list of warming/device charging centers by calling 211 or visiting maine.gov/MEMA.
The storm knocked out power to more than 180,000 across Maine and it could take several days to restore power to the hardest-hit areas, according to a Central Maine Power spokesperson.
Several flight cancellations were reported at the Portland International Jetport and Bangor International Airport Saturday, according to FlightAware. No delays or cancellations were reported as of Sunday afternoon.
The latest forecast to start the week calls for sunny skies and temperatures above freezing.