Flash Flood — Hancock, Maine

2023-10-08 · near Bayside, Hancock, Maine

Event narrative

Heavy rains from the 7th into the 8th produced storm total rainfall of 3.00 to 4.00 inches in the area where the localized flash flooding and partial road washout occurred. A portion of Bayside Road was partially washed out leading to a road closure. The flash flooding could have occurred due to the sudden release of water impounded behind a beaver dam which failed...though this is uncertain.

Wider weather episode

The post-tropical remnants of once Tropical Storm Philippe lifted across the region along a frontal boundary from late on the 7th through the early morning hours of the 8th. The remnants then merged with a low across Quebec province. The system brought gusty winds...mostly along and to the east of...the track. Heavy rain also accompanied the system. Wind gusts along the Downeast coast generally ranged from around 40 to around 50 mph. A peak wind gust of 62 mph was reported at Bar Harbor in coastal Hancock county. The combination of wet soil, still mostly leafed trees and the gusty winds led to toppled trees and snapped branches, mostly along the Downeast coast. Downed power lines led to scattered power outages. Across the remainder of eastern Maine wind gusts generally ranged from around 30 to around 40 mph. However, a 52 mph wind gust was reported at Frenchville with 45 mph gusts reported at both Caribou and Houlton. The gusty winds and wet soil did help topple some trees in these areas leading to isolated to scattered power outages.

Abundant moisture was also drawn north with the post-tropical remnants of Philippe producing heavy rain. Rainfall totals of 2.00 to 3.50 inches were common across Downeast areas...with local totals of 4.00 to 4.50 inches. The heavy rains led to ponding and standing water on some roads along with elevated stream levels. Localized flash flooding led to a partial washout along a portion of Bayside Road near Ellsworth.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (44.4731, -68.4221)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1145469. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.