Crews clean up trees that were knocked down across U.S. Route 201 in Solon during a strong thunderstorm Thursday afternoon. Traffic was stopped in both directions, according to reports. Photo submitted by Cecilia Landry

AUGUSTA — Power outages were being reported throughout central Maine Thursday afternoon as heavy thunderstorms, high winds and spurts of hail sweep through the area.

Crews clean up trees that were knocked down across U.S. Route 201 in Solon during a strong thunderstorm Thursday afternoon. Traffic was stopped in both directions, according to reports. Photo submitted by Cecilia Landry

Just before 3:30 p.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northern Kennebec and southern Somerset counties as a large storm brought wind gusts up to 60 mph and penny-size hail to parts of central Maine, according to NWS meteorologist Michael Clair.

“Storms are kind of around Skowhegan now, but they’re blossoming all over. There’s more forming near Waterville right now,” he said. “The next few hours it looks like more of the same. Storms forming and moving their way to the coast.”

Clair said the storm had already caused sporadic power outages throughout southern and central Maine. As of 8:15 p.m., over 17,000 Central Maine Power Co. customers were without electricity statewide, with only around 200 of which were in Somerset County.

Around 3:30 p.m., storm gusts knocked down several trees and power lines in Solon, knocking out power to at least 625 residents. Traffic was backed up on U.S. Route 201 in both directions north of the Fall Brook bridge after multiple large trees fell across the highway, according to reports.

“We’ve been getting reports of damaging wind bringing down trees and powerlines,” Clair said. “This cold front coming down from the south is breaking the heat and with it, it’s kicking off these heavier thunderstorms.”

NWS radar showed heavy bands of precipitation moving east through Cumberland, Somerset and Penobscot counties just after 4:15 p.m. Clair said storms would likely persist through the evening, only starting to dissipate after 9 p.m.

Authorities are urging caution and awareness as the storm rolls through. The NWS’ severe thunderstorm declaration instructs residents to take shelter on the lowest floor of a building, which Clair seconded.

“We advise that people go inside when you hear a storm coming. Stay away from the windows and just take shelter, essentially,” Clair said.