High Surf — Coastal Hancock, Maine

2009-08-23 · Coastal Hancock, Maine

Event narrative

High surf generated from Hurricane Bill...which was tracking well east of the region...produced large waves along the Maine coast. A large wave washed a group of spectators at Thunder Hole...in Acadia National Park...into the ocean. The spectators had gathered to watch the high surf break along the rocky coast. The wave washed 7 individuals into the water...4 of which were able to exit the water on their own. Of the remaining 3...2 were rescued by the Coast Guard. The final individual...a 7 year old girl...perished before she could be rescued. The girl was in the water for over 3 hours before her body was recovered. In addition to the fatality...13 individuals were injured when the same wave slammed people on to rocks. The injuries varied in severity...ranging from broken and dislocated bones to lacerations. Some of the injured had to be transported to the hospital...while others transported themselves.

Wider weather episode

Large waves generated from Hurricane Bill...which was tracking well east of the region...created high surf along the Maine coast. A large wave at Thunder Hole...in Acadia National Park...washed a group of spectators into the ocean. The spectators had gathered to watch the high surf break along the rocky coast. The wave washed 7 individuals into the ocean...4 of which were able to exit the water on their own. Of the remaining 3 individuals...2 were rescued by the Coast Guard. The final individual...a young girl...perished before she could be rescued. Other individuals not washed into the ocean were also injured when the same wave slammed them on to rocks along the shore.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 189046. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.