Flood — Washington, Maine

2015-09-30 · near Calais, Washington, Maine

Event narrative

Rainfall totals of 3.00 to 6.00...locally up to around 7.00...inches occurred across Washington county during the 30th. This led to extensive urban and small stream flooding. Numerous roads were flooded and closed. Damage was also reported to bridges and culverts. Flooding was reported in the towns of Calais...Alexander and Woodland. Gusty winds and saturated soil also combined to topple trees and power lines in the town of Cherryfield.

Wider weather episode

Deep tropical moisture was drawn north across the region in advance of a slow moving cold front while low pressure lifted north along the front. In addition to the tropical moisture...a strong low level jet provided additional Atlantic moisture. The moisture was focused along the front and low with additional strong upper level support. The result was very heavy rain. Heavy rain developed during the morning of the 30th then persisted through the afternoon. Rainfall totals of 3.00 to 6.00 inches were common across much of the region...with localized totals of 7.00 to 8.00 inches. Lesser rainfall totals of 1.00 to 3.00 inches occurred across northern Aroostook county.

Significant urban and small steam flooding occurred across much of Downeast Maine...with lesser flooding extending north into southern Aroostook county. Numerous roads were flooded and closed across Downeast Maine...with several feet of water covering some roads. Many roads received significant flood damage along with bridges and culverts. Flooding subsided during the evening of the 30th...though many roads remained closed due to damage even after the flood waters receded. The mainstem of the Piscataquis River also briefly crested slightly above flood stage at Dover-Foxcroft. Gusty winds and saturated soil combined to allow trees to be toppled along portions of the Downeast coast which brought down power lines and contributed to power outages.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (45.1800, -67.2800)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 602214. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.