Coastal Flood — Coastal Waldo, Maine

2024-01-13 · Coastal Waldo, Maine

Event narrative

The astronomical tide in Portland was 11.2 feet (MLLW) 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.

The storm created significant damage to waterfront areas of Coastal Waldo County due to both inundation flooding and over wash from large coastal swells that overtopped dunes and seawalls. Flooding up to a foot deep also reached Belfast Harbor roads during high tide with at least one structure damaged. In Searsport, sand, mud and rocks covered Cottage Street.

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 1158766. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.