Coastal Flood — Coastal York, Maine

2020-09-22 · Coastal York, Maine

Event narrative

The astronomical tide in Portland of 10.8 feet combined with a storm surge of 1.3 feet at high tide to reach a 12.1 foot storm tide during the mid afternoon hours. Flood stage in Portland is 12.0 feet (MLLW). Although winds were offshore, large, long period swell entered the Gulf of Maine leading to splash-over along the coast of southern Maine with nearshore waves up to 10 feet every 16 seconds. waves and debris splashed onto Webhanett Road in Wells, crashing over the tops of cars at its peak. Significant splash-over also occurred along Gooch's and Kennebunk Beaches in Kennebunk.

Wider weather episode

Hurricane Teddy underwent extra-tropical transition to a strong 951 mb storm well off shore in the Gulf of Maine before moving north north towards Halifax, Nova Scotia. This powerful cyclone coincided with astronomically high tides. Although winds were offshore, large, long period swell entered the Gulf of Maine leading to splash-over along the southern coast of Maine.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 922415. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.