MAINE, Maine — Mainers may still see a lot of split trees or fallen branches lying around from the ice storm we recently had. While it doesn't look great, city officials in Portland, for example, say their priority is getting the roads ready ahead of this next round of snow.
Portland Public Works director Mike Murray said all of the usual steps are in place, like lining up plow drivers and checking equipment. Murray asks that anyone who usually parks on city streets plan ahead so that crews won't have to work around vehicles as they clear snow and any new debris that might come down. Even though it has been short-staffed for years now, he feels his department is ready to go ahead of the nor'easter.
As for what's left over from the last storm, Murray said his workers are getting to it, but city employees aren't the only ones who have work to do before the snow falls.
"Residents who have limbs now on their property from their trees, they need to take care of those individually. The responsibility is on the property owner," he explained. "As far as limbs that are on the city right of way, we will take care of that as we get to them. If you can keep your cars off the street, please take them off the street."
Murray said the city will finish clearing up debris on public property after the snowstorm passes.
The town of Cape Elizabeth is also trying to get the word out to homeowners that crews will come grab debris from storms. Residents have until April 8 to pile it up near the curb along public streets. Click here for more details.
Bangor's public works director, Aaron Houtari, said crews will be out pre-treating roads Wednesday before the first flakes fall.
"We are pre-treating roads with brine today and tomorrow to decrease the opportunity for the first snow to adhere to pavement, creating that slippery layer that is so hard to scrape off. We are also preparing for the strong winds," he said. "The ground is really saturated from the recent rains, and there is always a possibility of trees falling when the frost is out of the ground and it’s so wet. The nice thing is that this is a typical nor’easter, so the direction of the wind isn’t as dangerous as some of the storms we experienced this winter."
Houtari added that crews in Bangor are also preparing for very long shifts to cover the extended duration of the storm.