Snowfall and lower temperatures led to several vehicles going off the road on Friday night, leading to road closures throughout northern Aroostook County.
A portion of Route 161 between Madawaska Lake and Cross Lake was closed down for a few hours due to slippery conditions, according to North Lakes Fire and Rescue Chief Darren Woods.
His crew reported several vehicles off the road, he said, but no major injuries were reported.
In Fort Kent, Police Chief Michael DeLena said one vehicle slid off Charette Hill Road, but there was no reportable damage or injuries.
In Madawaska, police reported via social media that a portion of Main Street between VIP Tires & Service and the Frenchville town line was also closed during this time due to poor travel conditions.
Madawaska Police Chief Jamie Pelletier said that only one vehicle slid off the road, but several were unable to make it up a hill in this area. No injuries or damage was reported.
At one point, a wrecker was on the scene, but unable to pull cars out of the ditches due to the icy conditions. Crews had to wait for workers from the Maine Department of Transportation to spread salt and sand on the road.
The road reopened at 7:05 p.m., but police asked members of the public to remain vigilant as it was still slick.
Pelletier said the conditions were most likely caused by the snow’s consistency and the traffic packing the snow down to the point that it turned into ice.
“I would just like to urge motorists to use caution in snowy conditions and give themselves ample time to get to where they need to go,” he said. “The first snowstorms are usually the slickest due to the milder temperatures and the potential for ice to form on the roadway.”
