Violent thunderstorms hit the western mountains and southern sections of Maine on Wednesday evening, knocking out power, setting a ski lodge on fire and capsizing a canoe in the Saco River.
At 11 p.m. Wednesday, about 14,500 Central Maine Power Co. customers — most in Oxford, Somerset and Kennebec counties — were without electricity.
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The most serious damage occurred at the Mount Abram ski area in the Oxford County town of Greenwood, where the main lodge caught fire after being hit by lightning.
No one was in the lodge at the time of the lightning strike, which caused extensive damage to the building.
Firefighters from six towns responded.
The National Weather Service in Gray issued a severe thunderstorm watch that remained in effect for most of the evening. Margaret Curtis, a meteorologist with the weather service, said large hail was reported in Rumford and Windham.
Curtis said there were numerous reports of downed tree limbs and powerful wind gusts.
On the Saco River in Biddeford, three canoeists escaped injury after a powerful gust caused by a fast-moving thunderstorm capsized their canoe around 7:30 p.m.
Biddeford fire Capt. Ricky Dussault said a rescue boat and an ambulance were sent to the river, near Lafayette Street, after witnesses called 911 to report the accident.
The canoeists were wearing life jackets and were able to push their canoe to shore. No injuries were reported.
Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:
dhoey@pressherald.com
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