Flood — Piscataquis, Maine

2020-12-25 to 2020-12-26 · near Kingsbury, Piscataquis, Maine

Event narrative

Heavy rain and runoff from melting snow led to flooding across portions of the Piscataquis River Basin. Flooding was reported along the Piscataquis River at Dover-Foxcroft. Several roads were flooded to varying degrees at other locations across the region leading to road closures.

Wider weather episode

Strong low pressure lifted north across Quebec province during the 25th...drawing a cold front across the region. A strong low level jet crossed the region in advance of the cold front through the morning and afternoon of the 25th. The strongest winds were focused along coastal Hancock county and up the Penobscot River Valley into southern Penobscot county. Southerly winds in this area were sustained at 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to around 60 mph. The winds brought down trees and power lines leading to power outages with thousands of customers losing power.

Unseasonably warm air along with abundant moisture were also drawn north in advance of the cold front. The combination of rain and runoff from melting snow led to flooding across portions of the Piscataquis River Basin. Rain totals in the headwaters of the Piscataquis River Basin generally ranged from 2.00 to 3.00 inches...with local totals up to around 3.50 inches. This rainfall...in addition to the runoff from melting snow...led to flooding on the Piscataquis River at Dover-Foxcroft. The river went above flood stage during the evening of the 25th. The river crested around 2 feet above flood stage during the early morning hours of the 26th...falling below flood stage during the evening of the 26th. Flooding was also reported along portions of River Road and Back Road which were both closed. A car was stranded due to flood waters on the River Road near Abbot. Minor flooding was also reported in the vicinity of Greenville due to several brooks overflowing their banks. Ice jams also led to elevated water levels and minor flooding along other streams and brooks.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (45.0909, -69.6434)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 934205. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.