Coastal Flood — Coastal Cumberland, Maine

2022-01-17 · Coastal Cumberland, Maine

Event narrative

The astronomical tide in Portland of 9.6 feet combined with a storm surge of 3.1 feet at high tide to produce a 12.7 foot (MLLW) storm tide during the late morning hours. Flood stage in Portland is 12.0 feet (MLLW). The tide remained above flood stage for a full three hours and 26 minutes at the Portland tide gage. In Portland, the intersection of Somerset and Pearl streets flooded up to two feet deep near the Whole Foods grocery store. Flooding was also reported along the Portland Pier with over a foot of inundation in the normal vulnerable low-lying areas. The intense easterly winds and high storm tides led to closed roads due to large battering surf and water flooding inland tidal areas. In Scarborough, route one was closed in both the north and south lanes due to flooding from the marsh. Parking lots and roads were reported flooded in Cape Elizabeth.

Wider weather episode

Low pressure rapidly intensified into a strong storm (980 mb) and tracked over western New England on the morning of January 17th. This allowed for a strong easterly flow to develop as the system passed to our west. Winds peaked around the time of high tide with gusts over hurricane force reported across the Gulf of Maine. Astronomical tides were marginal during the event, however very high storm surge values tied for the eleventh highest of all-time during the midday high tide cycle on the 17th. The surge and large waves caused minor flooding across York and Cumberland counties.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1004014. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.