Car strikes telephone pole, closes Route 1 in Scarborough

Thousands of Maine residents lose power in Scarborough, South Portland and Cape Elizabeth

A widespread power outage has left more than 8,000 households and businesses across the coastal towns of Scarborough, South Portland and Cape Elizabeth without electricity. Local utilities confirmed the disruption early this morning, citing problems unrelated to the vehicle crash that occurred in the area earlier this week.

The outage began on the east side of the Cape, where a major distribution line was knocked down by a fallen tree. While the tree was not linked to the crash, the damage to the electrical infrastructure triggered a shutdown of the nearby substation. The same line supplies power to much of South Portland’s downtown and portions of Cape Elizabeth, so the failure created a cascading effect that cut power to thousands of customers in all three towns.

“At the moment we’re working to restore service as quickly as possible,” said a spokesperson for the regional utility company. “We don’t have an exact estimate of how long the outage will last, but we are deploying crews to address the fault and are monitoring the situation closely.” The utility also urged residents to stay safe, avoid opening the fridge or freezer if they have lost power for an extended period, and to use backup generators only when necessary.

Local emergency services were notified immediately, and the towns’ emergency operations centers are monitoring the situation. The Coast Guard and the Maine Department of Transportation are also keeping watch on traffic conditions in the area, as the crash has already led to increased congestion on Route 1 and the I‑95 corridor.

Mayor Jennifer M. R. G. of Scarborough said the town would be providing assistance to residents who are without power for an extended period. “We are setting up temporary shelters for anyone who needs them and will provide free Wi‑Fi access to help people stay connected,” she said.

Meanwhile, residents in South Portland are making use of the town’s “Help‑US‑Help‑Them” program, which offers volunteer support to seniors and other vulnerable residents who might need help getting groceries or medical supplies. “We’re trying to get the community together in a way that’s safe, even as the power’s out,” said a volunteer coordinator.

In Cape Elizabeth, the city’s public works department has already begun to address the fallen tree and to clear the roadways. The town’s emergency services have posted an update on its website with instructions on how to report outages or other emergencies.

The power company has requested that residents refrain from attempting to repair or touch any exposed electrical lines. “Those who see a damaged pole or exposed wires should stay away and report the location to the utility immediately,” the spokesperson said. “We’re taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our crew and the public.”

The outage is expected to affect a substantial number of homes, small businesses and public facilities. The local high school, a regional library, and several senior living centers are all without power. In anticipation of potential long‑term disruptions, the school’s administration has advised parents to keep a supply of flashlights and batteries at home.

The cause of the outage, while not linked to the crash that damaged several vehicles, remains under investigation. The utility company has requested that anyone with additional information contact their 24‑hour hotline. The town clerks are also maintaining a real‑time status board on their websites, providing updates on restoration efforts and estimated time frames.

Residents who are without electricity are encouraged to remain patient as crews work to restore power. The utility company has pledged to keep the public informed via its social‑media channels and the town’s emergency notification system. As the situation develops, authorities will continue to coordinate with the Maine Department of Public Utilities and the federal government’s emergency response teams to ensure the safety and well‑being of all affected residents.