Heavy Rain — Washington, Maine

2014-07-04 to 2014-07-05 · near Ayers, Washington, Maine

Event narrative

Portions of Smith Ridge Road were washed out by heavy rain. Event total rainfall from the evening of the 4th into the afternoon of the 5th generally ranged from 3.00 to 5.00 inches...with localized totals of 6.00 to 6.50 inches...across Washington county. The heavy rains also contributed to elevated water levels with minor spill over near some small streams along with ponding of water in poor drainage areas across portions of the county.

Wider weather episode

The post tropical remnants of what had once been Hurricane Arthur brought high winds and heavy rain to eastern Maine. The strongest winds occurred through the morning hours of the 5th across Washington and Hancock counties. Peak wind gusts across Washington and Hancock counties generally ranged from around 40 mph up to around 60 mph...with the highest gusts generally across Washington county nearest the track of the low. A peak wind gust of 71 mph was reported at Machias Seal Island well offshore from Washington county. Extensive tree damage occurred across Washington and Hancock counties with trees uprooted or snapped along with numerous broken branches. The falling trees and branches brought down power lines and utility poles which led to extensive power outages. At the peak of the event...20000 to 25000 customers lost power across mostly Washington and Hancock counties with lesser power outages across Penobscot county. Some customers across Washington county were without power for several days.

Another area of damaging winds developed across portions of eastern Aroostook county during the afternoon of the 5th where heavy rain helped mix strong winds aloft to the surface. Wind gusts in excess of 50 mph occurred across portions of eastern Aroostook county where extensive tree damage also occurred with many trees uprooted or snapped along with many broken branches and scattered power outages. Fully leafed trees and wet ground enhanced the impact of the tree damage from the winds across all of eastern Maine.

Heavy rain also occurred across portions of Eastern Maine. Abundant moisture was drawn north along a stalled frontal boundary in advance of the low. Heavy rain developed across portions of Washington and Hancock counties during the evening of the 4th and persisted into the afternoon of the 5th. Event total rainfall across Washington county generally ranged from 3.00 to 5.00 inches...with localized totals of 6.00 to 6.50 inches. Rainfall totals across Hancock county generally ranged from 3.00 to 4.00 inches. Minor small stream flooding along with ponding of water in poor drainage areas occurred across Washington and Hancock counties. Heavy rains also developed across eastern Aroostook county from the overnight hours of the 4th into the morning of the 5th and persisted into the afternoon. Rainfall totals across eastern Aroostook county generally ranged from 1.50 to 3.50 inches...with localized totals of up to 4.00 to 4.50 inches. Ponding of water in poor drainage areas was reported across portions of eastern Aroostook county...though no significant flooding issues were reported.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (44.9941, -67.2945)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 534365. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.