This story will be updated.
A winter storm ramping up Wednesday morning has brought hurricane-force winds off the coast of Maine.
A high wind warning remains in effect for much of Maine through Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
The strong winds accompanying the snow and rain have raised concerns about widespread power outages, especially as many utility poles remain damaged from the Dec. 18 storm that left more than 420,000 without power statewide and four dead.
Winds out of the southeast are forecast to blow at a sustained 35 to 45 mph, with gusts reaching up to 75 mph, with the strongest winds along the coast, according to the weather service.
For Greater Bangor, winds are expected to reach up to 60 mph, while winds may reach up to 60 mph in Ellsworth, 75 mph in Bar Harbor, 65 mph in Machias, 70 mph in Eastport, and 45 to 55 mph from Houlton to Fort Kent, according to the weather service station in Caribou.
Farther to the south, winds will reach up to 60 mph in Portland, 65 mph in Rockland and 70 mph in Rockland, according to the weather service station in Gray.
Early Wednesday morning, the Gray weather office reported that 92 mph winds, which are hurricane force, blasted Matinicus Rock in Knox County.
The winds will reach their peak strength mid-morning Wednesday.
As of 6:45 a.m., Central Maine Power reported 35,511 outages across its service area, with the bulk in the coastal counties of Cumberland, Lincoln and York. Meanwhile, Versant Power reported just 5,593 outages in eastern Maine.
The storm brought primarily snow overnight, and changed over to rain before sunrise. The melting snow, coupled with heavy rain, are raising the flood risk for many communities.
The weather service warned that the Penobscot River is expected to reach flood stage in Bangor, with the biggest risk to the riverfront and Kenduskeag Plaza.
Snow and rain totals weren’t immediately available Wednesday morning.
