BAR HARBOR, Maine — Record-breaking flooding and high winds wreaked havoc along Maine’s coast, resulting in the destruction of historic fishing shacks and severe damage to coastal communities. The storm, which occurred on Saturday, marked the second bout of extreme weather experienced by the region within a week.
The Portland area, in particular, bore the brunt of the storm’s wrath during the highest tide of the season at noon. Notably, three fishing shacks on Fisherman’s Point, with interior timbers dating back over 200 years, were washed away as the high tide surged on Saturday.
The storm surge in the Gulf of Maine was intensified by the highest tide of the season, which was recorded a full foot higher than the previous tide during a similar event just days earlier. Experts have expressed concerns that the combination of high tide and eroded dunes could result in further damage along the coast.
Portland witnessed a historic flooding event, surpassing the previous record set during the iconic 1978 blizzard. Harbor waters surged above 14.5 feet, flooding parts of the Old Port and surrounding areas such as Back Cove. As a result, the flooding prompted the closure of both Interstate 295 exits onto Franklin Street due to unsafe conditions caused by the rising waters.
Bar Harbor, located in downtown Bar Harbor, experienced the devastating impact of the storm as waves crashed into the shore, causing significant damage to the town pier and adjacent structures. The forceful swells lifted the planks and small buildings on the Harborside pier a few inches into the air, leading to unprecedented destruction. Local resident Galen Lowe, who frequently witnesses heavy weather due to his work on the Lulu the Lobster Boat tour vessel, expressed astonishment at the pier’s damage, stating that he had never seen such destruction before.
While Mount Desert Island boasts fewer low-lying areas susceptible to storm surges compared to other parts of the state, it was not spared from the consequences of the powerful storm. The renowned Shore Path in downtown Bar Harbor suffered severe erosion during the storm earlier in the week, and the Saturday storm further battered the area. Additionally, roads bordering the ocean at Bracy Cove and Sewall were covered with cobblestones thrown up by the turbulent waves.
Reports of damage and destruction along the coast continued to emerge. The pier in Seal Harbor experienced heavy damage to a bathroom, while another small building on pilings was pulled into the harbor in Bernard. In Northeast Harbor, several docks were dislodged from their granite pilings, leaving them at steep angles and still vulnerable to rough waves.
Furthermore, the remnants of a wooden cargo ship known as Tay, which had been exposed at Sand Beach in Acadia National Park during Wednesday’s storm, were washed out to sea by the subsequent storm on Saturday.
The series of recent storms has left communities reeling from the unprecedented levels of destruction. With each subsequent event, damage has increased, and residents and local authorities are now faced with the daunting task of assessing and rebuilding. As cleanup efforts begin, the impact of these storms will certainly be etched into the history of Maine’s coast for years to come.
In conclusion, Maine’s coast was battered by severe storms, resulting in record-breaking flooding and high winds that caused extensive damage to historic fishing shacks and coastal communities. The destruction witnessed during this second storm within a week speaks to the magnitude of the challenge faced by residents and authorities in recovering from these unprecedented events.
