Coastal Flood — Coastal Washington, Maine

2024-01-10 · Coastal Washington, Maine

Event narrative

Significant erosion and damage occurred across Washington County. Many piers and wharfs were destroyed, especially in the Milbridge and Addison area. The dike at Machias became overtopped and water flooded Court street in downtown Machias, inundating several buildings. In Roque Bluffs, the state park received extensive erosion and Johnson Cover road was inundated, stranding several residents. The tide gauge at Cutler Farris Wharf reached 18.56 feet, just below minor flood stage.

Wider weather episode

A strong area of low pressure tracked across Quebec province on Wednesday, January 10th. Strong southeasterly winds developed late on January 9th, before increasing in intensity during the early morning hours of January 10th. Warm air moved inland after midnight on January 9th, changing snow to rain along the immediate coast, followed by a more gradual change for interior areas throughout the day on January 10th. Strong to damaging winds crossed the entire state during the day on January 10th, with more widespread damage and higher wind gusts occurring along the coastline and I-95 corridor. Along the Maine coast, moderate to major coastal flooding occurred due to the alignment of a high astronomical high tide cycle, storm surge and large battering nearshore waves.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1160666. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.