Flood — Piscataquis, Maine

2020-12-01 to 2020-12-02 · near Kingsbury, Piscataquis, Maine

Event narrative

Minor flooding occurred along the Pscataquis River at Dover-Foxcroft. Water was also reported over roads in several other locations.

Wider weather episode

Strong low pressure tracked north across Quebec province through the 1st...drawing a cold front across the region. A very strong low level jet crossed the region in advance of the front during the 1st. The strongest winds occurred along the Downeast coast. South/southeast winds along the coast were sustained at 25 to 35 mph...with gusts in excess of 60 mph. A peak wind gust of 70 mph was measured near the town of Lubec in coastal Washington county. A wind gust of 61 mph was measured at Eastport...also in coastal Washington county. The strong winds extended up the Penobscot River Valley into southern Penobscot county where a 58 mph wind gust was reported at the Bangor Airport. The strong winds brought down trees and power lines contributing to power outages. Power outages peaked at around 17,000 customers during the morning of the 1st with the most extensive outages across portions of Hancock and Penobscot counties. Saturated ground from heavy rain contributed to the number of toppled trees. Some roads were blocked due to fallen trees and downed power lines.

Unseasonably warm air was drawn north in advance of the cold front supporting precipitation in the form of rain. Abundant moisture was also drawn north supporting heavy rain. The heaviest rain totals occurred south and east of a line from southeast Aroostook county...across northern Penobscot county to central Piscataquis county. Rain totals of 2.50 to 3.50 inches were common in that area...with local totals to around 4.00 inches. Lesser rain totals occurred northwest of that line. Rain totals of 3.00 to 4.00 inches occurred in the headwaters of the Piscataquis River Basin. This led to flooding along portions of the Piscataquis River. At Dover-Foxcroft...the river rose above flood stage during the morning of the 1st. The river crested around a foot above flood stage that afternoon. The river fell back below flood stage during the morning of the 2nd. Flooding was generally minor...though some road closures did occur. Water was reported on Route 16 near Kingsbury and on Back Road in Abbot. Otherwise...elevated stream levels and ponding of water in low lying and poor drainage areas were the major hydrologic issues.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (45.1273, -69.6534)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 934152. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.