Heavy rain and wind Sunday caused traffic delays and forced the cancellation of outdoor events in southern Maine.

Concerns about safety with the driving rain and high winds forced organizers to cancel the last day of the annual La Kermesse Festival in Biddeford and the Taste of the Nation event in South Portland.

An Ingrid Michaelson show scheduled for the outdoor waterfront at Thompson’s Point in Portland was moved to the State Theatre. Organizers said the winds, with gusts up to 35 mph, forced them to find a new venue. Refunds will be given to ticket holders who were not able to get into the State Theatre, which has a smaller capacity.

The National Weather Service reported 1.67 inches of rain fell in Falmouth by midafternoon Sunday, with slightly lower amounts to the south. Parsonsfield in York County recorded 1.63 inches of rain. The weather service issued a gale warning and high surf advisory Sunday evening.

James Brown, a meteorologist with the weather service in Gray, said the heavy rain that soaked Maine on Sunday would move out of the area overnight, setting the stage for nicer weather to start the week.

“Things should improve a little bit (Monday) and even more the following day,” he said.

Heavy rain and standing water slowed traffic on the Maine Turnpike from Kennebunk to the New Hampshire line Sunday afternoon, according to Erin Courtney, a turnpike spokeswoman. Accidents in Scarborough and York caused significant delays for southbound drivers.

Turnpike officials advised motorists to use caution and stay alert for standing water while traveling through the area.

Central Maine Power Co. reported more than 3,700 outages Sunday evening, primarily in Lincoln County, where more than 1,500 customers were without power. The number of outages was down to 388 by midnight.

Gillian Graham can be contacted at 791-6315 or at:

ggraham@pressherald.com

Twitter: grahamgillian