LEWISTON — Tuesday’s snowstorm brought wind, snow and slick roads.
Snow began to fall and accumulate just after 3 p.m. and picked up quickly. The total was expected to be up to 7 inches in the region by Wednesday morning, according the National Weather Service.
Temperatures hovered around 24 degrees Fahrenheit most of the day, creating brisk conditions for the storm. Calm winds minimized the severity, but roads were still slippery.
Slick roads and low visibility caused several crashes in the Lewiston-Auburn area during rush hour, as well as throughout central Maine.
Lewiston, Auburn, Androscoggin County and Maine State police departments were being called out consistently to assist at dozens of crash sites, but no serious injuries were reported.
Lewiston Police Sgt. Dave St. Pierre said there were 13 reported accidents by 8 p.m., but “no serious ones — just fender-benders.”
Auburn police officer Matt Daley reported more than five crashes in Auburn by 5:15 p.m., also with no injury or serious damage. According to Sgt. Steve Gosselin of Auburn police, 13 crashes had been reported by 8 p.m., with no injuries. The crashes were scattered throughout the city.
Several of the crash sites did slow down traffic, and at one point, Webster and Webber streets were closed down, St. Pierre said.
Lisbon police responded to multiple crashes between 5 p.m. and 5:40 p.m.
Lt. Daniel Michel said there were four separate crashes, all within that time frame. In the first crash, occurring at 5:07 p.m., a car ran off the road near Aubuchon Hardware.
Later, a four-car crash on Sabattus River Bridge and a three-car crash near the Rite Aid in Lisbon Falls were called in.
And a two-car crash near Bootleggers in Lisbon caused three patients to be taken by ambulance for minor injuries.
Oxford and Franklin counties saw similar weather, with stronger winds and temperatures around 21 degrees Fahrenheit. Accidents were minimal, however, according to county dispatchers. Franklin County had no accidents reported as of 7:30 p.m. and Oxford County had only a couple of minor incidents.
The roads will still be slippery; slow, safe driving is encouraged.
Parking bans in Lewiston and Auburn are in place until 7 a.m. Wednesday.
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