Coastal Flood — Coastal Waldo, Maine

2018-01-04 · Coastal Waldo, Maine

Event narrative

Intense low pressure combined with high astronomical tides to produce coastal flooding in Lincolnville. Water was 6 to 12 inches deep on Route 1 in Lincolnville.

Wider weather episode

Low pressure developed off the Florida coast on the 3rd of January before moving north on the 4th. The intense low (956 mb) passed southeast of Nantucket Island during a period of very high astronomical tides. The forecast astronomical tide at Portland was 11.6 feet, close to its 12 foot flood stage. Storm force northeasterly winds developed at high tide , however nearshore waves only reached 8 to 12 feet during this short span of time. The winds produced a storm surge of 2.2 feet in Portland Harbor. The resulting storm tide topped out at 13.8 feet, which was the third highest in modern history (records go back to 1912). The tide remained above flood stage for nearly three hours.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 736253. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.