Portland, ME – With winter approaching, officials across Maine are urging residents to begin preparing today for potentially dangerous ice storms, which the National Weather Service (NWS) says pose a far greater threat than snow during the colder months. Ice accumulation from freezing rain can bring down trees, damage vehicles, block roadways, and cause power outages that may last several days.
According to NOAA, even a quarter-inch of ice is enough to snap weak branches and weigh down powerlines, making early preparation essential. As temperatures continue to fluctuate throughout the week, residents are encouraged to complete safety steps now—before the first freezing rain event arrives later this winter.
According to the National Weather Service, homeowners should start by trimming weak or damaged branches around their property to prevent limbs from falling when coated in ice. NOAA also warns against leaving vehicle wipers raised, as they can freeze to the windshield and break once temperatures drop. Keeping wipers lowered and covered is recommended.
Residents are also advised to maintain at least a week’s supply of non-perishable foods, bottled water, and necessary prescriptions in case icy conditions make travel difficult or prolonged outages develop. Officials strongly urge against parking vehicles under trees, where ice-heavy branches can snap without warning.
Emergency managers also emphasize the importance of keeping phones, power banks, flashlights, and charging devices ready well before storms arrive. Households with generators should safely store extra gasoline and conduct a test run today to ensure the equipment functions properly during an outage. Stocking up on rock salt or ice melt can help limit slips and falls around walkways.
“It only takes one storm to cause days of disruption,” the NWS said. “Preparing today is the best way to stay safe this winter.”
