SACO, Maine – Thousands of Mainers are still without power from the April Nor’easter, but the lights are starting to turn back on.
At least a thousand people in Saco had their power restored Friday evening, but many were still in the dark on Friday night.
“We’re going into, I guess our second night, but we’re making the best if it,” said Saco resident Sean Findlen.
“It’s winter in Maine. “
Generators were buzzing in Findlen’s neighborhood Friday, on day two without power. But he still has a positive attitude and says he’s thankful to have a power hookup for the basic necessities.
“The generator is great,” said Findlen. “It takes care of the basics, you know, heat, water for the well, and you know not much else, but it makes for a simpler life.”
For those waiting it out with no generator, Saco opened up their community center as a warming center.
“The warming center is here, we are just open for anyone that does not have power if they need to warm up, charge devices, get water,” said warming center staff member Sarah Musgrave. “We’re here for anybody that needs to come in.”
The center will be open on Saturday for anyone still in the dark, but CMP has been making progress. Crews were on the move Friday in Saco, at one point working on power lines on Lincoln Road after a large tree branch had been cleared from a power line.
“Today is — the sun came up, we got them out there in communities working on distribution,” said CMP Spokesperson Jon Breed. “That’s when you see polls and wires on your street. Part of that is damage assessment.”
But residents like Findlen say seeing work crews in town gives him hope that the lights will be back on soon.
“We saw on the way home from work today some CMP crews – thank you to them – out and around the corner,” said Findlen. “So, we’re hopeful we’ll have it back soon.”