Maine news, sports, weather from Waterville Morning Sentinel

Maine officials prepare for onset of Hurricane Earl

By Craig Crosby ccrosby@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- The state's emergency responders were gearing up Thursday as Hurricane Earl set its sights on the Northeast.

"We've been through storms like this before," said Gov. John Baldacci during an afternoon news conference at the Maine Emergency Management Agency with Director Robert McAleer. "The state is coordinating information and resources needed to protect people in Maine."

The National Weather Service was predicting Thursday that Earl would move into the Gulf of Maine tonight before quickly heading toward Nova Scotia.

A tropical storm watch was posted for all of coastal Maine and inland sections of Hancock and Washington counties. Locally heavy rain, power outages, heavy surf and beach erosion were predicted in those areas.

Down East sections were expected to see the greatest impact from the storm, with heavy rain and wind predicted to reach 76 mph.

Baldacci said the National Weather Service will focus its storm forecast this morning. A cold front from the west, which will end the ongoing heat wave, is expected to help keep Earl from making landfall. The hurricane's progression northward has slowed, which may let the front push the storm farther out to sea.

Regardless of the track there will be high waves and strong rip currents the length of the coast, officials believe. The hurricane could still track more westerly, however, and have a more significant impact statewide, Baldacci said.

"The next 18 hours are critical," he said, adding that today the National Weather Service will "have a very good sense of what's happening."

The state's emergency responders and equipment were positioned on Thursday, while the state's police, marine patrol, wardens and Department of Transportation will be out in force to respond to any emergency situations, Baldacci said.

State officials also will remain in close contact with the Coast Guard.

McAleer said his agency benefits from cooperating private agencies, including utilities, grocers and transportation companies. Power companies are already gearing up "We'll be here (tonight) to man the operation center if needed," McAleer said.

Responders will work through today's state shutdown day if needed, Baldacci said.

"The shutdown is not going to stop us," he said. "Were activating all the personnel that are necessary."

Earl dropped from a Category 4 storm to a Category 3 storm at midday Thursday and was expected to weaken to a Category 2 by the time it reached New England waters tonight.

Mainers, still broiling in one of the longest heat waves in decades, kept an eye out and prepared for Earl.

Clayton Smith at Rockport-based Yachting Solutions said workers there were scrambling to get boats to safety, though they were unsure about the hurricane's path. He said his company planned to pull 40 boats from the water in 48 hours. "Complacency is a bad thing," he said. "It's better to be safe than sorry."

Details about Earl's progress and other safety messages are available online at www.maineprepares.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Craig Crosby--621-5642

ccrosby@centralmaine.com