Storm toppled trees, but brings much-needed rain

High winds toppled this tree along Prospect Hill Road. (Lebanon Voice/Harrison Thorp photo)

A fast-moving line of severe thunderstorms accompanied by locally potent wind gusts passed through the region Thursday afternoon, knocking out power, uprooting trees and dousing the area with some much-needed rain.

Central Maine Power said nearly 8,500 customers statewide lost power at the height of the storms, while about 1,400 lost power in York County alone, a Central Maine Power spokesman said today.

A Prospect Hill Road home in West Lebanon was damaged when high winds uprooted a tree. The house, at the corner of County Road, appeared still to be livable, said a man sawing up the tree from atop the house.

From Gonic to East Lebanon, the line of storms passed through quickly, inflicting little damage for the most part, however.

The good news is the rain is the first significant precipitation in weeks and should lessen the risk of brush fires at least for a while. The greening up of foliage - now in full swing - also helps mitigate the danger, fire officials say.

The National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, said today should be pleasant with times of sun and less muggy.