Coastal Flood — Coastal Cumberland, Maine

2024-01-13 · Coastal Cumberland, Maine

Event narrative

The astronomical tide in Portland was 11.2 feet at 1205 pm. Flood stage is 12 feet (MLLW). The gale to storm force onshore winds produced a storm surge of 3.37 feet in Portland Harbor. The resulting storm tide topped out at 14.57 feet (MLLW) in the Forest City with the tide remaining above flood stage for two hours and 38 minutes, however, similar to the storm earlier in the week, localized flooding occurred throughout the day in low lying communities. The temporary new tide gauge at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) in Portland reached 14.6 feet (MLLW).

The storm created significant damage to waterfront areas of Cumberland County due to both inundation flooding and over wash from large coastal swells that overtopped dunes and seawalls. Homes and seawalls were heavily damaged along Higgins Beach in Scarborough. Also, flood waters infiltrated the wastewater plant on Black Point Road in an area where trail systems and beach access were also damaged. Along Kettle Cover Road in Cape Elizabeth, sidewalks, curbs and part of the road way were lost during the storm along with a rock wall slope protecting the roadway. Large rocks were also tumbled by the waves onto Shore Road in South Portland, a pump station was damaged on Fisherman's Lane along with many walking paths. Sea Shore Avenue on Peaks Island was heavily eroded due to large battering waves. Seawalls and dune systems were also severely eroded at Chebeague, Long and Cliff Islands. In Harpswell, numerous peninsula roadways were eroded. In the Backbay area of Portland, embankments were eroded which threatened the stability of nearby roadways. The infamous Fish Shack floated out to sea that with stood over a 100+ years of storms, in addition major damage at Willard Beach in South Portland. Exit seven in Portland was closed due to flooding, in additional to Marginal Way and the Whole Foods area. Many waterfront streets in Portland flooded with water about six inches deep at the corner of Union and Commercial Streets with water up to 18 inches deep near J's Oyster Bar and at least a foot of water by Maine State Pier. Also in Portland, piers will require replacement on to their foundations along Commercial Street. Also in Portland, the Portland Ocean Terminal Seawall was undermined.

Wider weather episode

The second severe storm in a week's time struck the northern New England coastline during the middle of January. An intense and rapidly deepening area of low pressure over the Great Lakes region (979 mb) combined the highest astronomical tides of the month to produce extreme flooding along the coast. Portland had its all-time storm tide, posting a record flood water level (records 1912-present). Storm force southeasterly winds occurred along the coast with nearshore waves of 15 to 20 feet leading to wave run-up impacts along exposed areas, especially areas vulnerable to southeast swells. A flash flood warning was issued for Coastal Cumberland and York Counties prior to high tide due to rapidly rising ocean water and fresh waters as heavy rain accompanied a coastal front just prior to high tide.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1158389. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.