PORTLAND (AP) — Powerful gusts topping 50 mph accompanied by driving rain have knocked out power for thousands of utility customers in northern New England.

Central Maine Power reported more than 20,000 outages, and Emera Maine more than 10,000 outages at the peak Sunday evening. Outages also were reported in New Hampshire and Vermont.

Tom Hawley from the National Weather Service says a gust hit 51 mph in Greenville, 48 mph in Augusta and 47 mph in Portland.

The howling wind was accompanied by driving rain with some communities topping 2 inches of rain for the day.

The winds were expected to die off over the course of the evening.

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