High Wind — Central Penobscot, Maine

2023-12-18 · Central Penobscot, Maine

Event narrative

South to southeast winds were sustained at speeds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph. These winds toppled and snapped numerous trees. The falling trees brought down power lines and utility poles which led to extensive power outages.

Wider weather episode

Low pressure rapidly intensified while lifting north along the coast from Florida to New England from the 17th into the 18th. The low then tracked across New England...to the west of the region...during the 18th. The low brought unseasonably warm air and abundant moisture across the region. Heavy rains and high winds accompanied the low. The pressure gradient between high pressure across the Atlantic and the rapidly intensifying low supported a very strong low level jet across the region. Conditions for this event were primed by another significant storm a week earlier which also had warm temperatures and heavy rain. Rain totals with the previous storm generally ranged from 3.00 to 4.00 inches...with local totals approaching 5.00 inches across the southeast corner of the region. Across the west-central highlands rain totals generally ranged from 2.00 to 3.00 inches. This storm left elevated river and stream levels in its wake which allowed flooding with this storm to develop more rapidly. The ground was also left nearly saturated. Nearly saturated soil and partially frozen ground allowed rapid and excessive run-off to develop with this storm. The already nearly saturated soil and additional heavy rainfall also allowed trees to be more easily toppled by the winds with this event. Record high temperatures were set during the 18th with 61 at Bangor...59 at Houlton...58 at Millinocket and 57 at Caribou.

Rain developed from the evening of the 17th into the early morning hours of the 18th. Heavy rain then occurred through the morning into the afternoon of the 18th...with lighter rains persisting into the early morning hours of the 19th. The heaviest rains fell in the favored upslope areas of the west-central highlands. Rainfall totals in this region generally ranged from 3.50 to 4.50 inches. Although much of the snow pack had been eroded during the previous storm...this storm melted the remaining snow pack even across the mountains. This snow melt contributed additional run-off. Rainfall across Downeast areas generally ranged from 1.50 to 3.00 inches...with 1.00 to 2.00 inch totals across northern areas. Flooding developed during the morning of the 18th...becoming more widespread though the afternoon and evening. The worst flooding occurred in the Piscataquis River basin where the heaviest rains occurred. The Piscataquis River at Dover-Foxcroft crested at its highest level in decades. Also on the Piscatquis River...a record level occurred at Blanchard. Significant flooding also occurred on the Sebec and Pleasant Rivers in Piscataquis county. Smaller rivers and streams also flooded along with low lying and poor drainage areas. In Piscataquis county flooding was particularly extensive in the towns of Dover-Foxcroft...Milo...Guilford...Brownville...Greenville...Blanchard and Abbott. Many roads were flooded to varying depths...up to 3 to 5 feet...leading to road closures. Roads...culverts and bridges were damaged or destroyed in some areas. The mainstem Penobscot River also flooded. Flooding was less extensive across Penobscot county with flooding reported around the towns of Bradford...Brewer...Burlington and Argyle. Flooding across the remainder of the region was generally more isolated and minor with localized road closures. Flooding along the larger mainstem rivers persisted through the 19th into the 20th at some locations while water from small rivers and streams drained through the larger rivers. Several ice jams did develop on the Saint John...Aroostook and Allagash rivers of northern Maine. However...these ice jams did not lead to any flooding.

The very strong low level jet produced high winds while crossing the region. The strongest winds occurred through the afternoon into the evening of the 18th. The strongest winds occurred along the Downeast coast where south to southeast winds were sustained at 30 to 40 mph with gusts generally 65 to 80 mph. However...a 93 mph wind gust was reported along the coast of Washington county near the town of Trescott. Winds across the remainder of the region were generally sustained at 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph...up to around 70 mph across interior Downeast areas. Numerous trees were toppled or snapped which brought down power lines and utility poles. This led to extensive power outages. Roads were also blocked and closed due to fallen trees...power lines and utility poles. Power outages peaked at between 100000 and 125000 customers during the morning and afternoon of the 18th. This corresponded to approximately 70% of the utility customers in Penobscot...Hancock and Washington counties and around 60% of the customers in Piscataquis county. Power restoration following the event extended into the 24th. Restoration was slowed due to the extent of damage and blocked roads which limited access.

Coastal flooding with this event occurred around the time of high tide during the afternoon of the 18th. Seawall Road...in Hancock county...was flooded with small rocks and debris left on the road. This led to a closure of the road until waters receded and debris was removed. A commercial pier in Eastport...Washington county...was also damaged due to coastal flooding...high winds and large crashing waves. Otherwise...minor splash over occurred along portions of the Downeast coast.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1153548. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.