Light rain began falling on Monday morning, but that was just a mild preview for a storm expected to pummel Lincoln County with high winds and heavy rainfall beginning mid-afternoon and running into the evening, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
This same storm has already left a path of watery devastation as it chugged across the country. Lincoln County will only have to endure 5 to 6 hours of weather as the storm front passes, but it is forecast to bring winds gusting to 60 mph and rainfall coming in wind-driven sheets.
As the wind changes direction from southeast to south, the weather will blow right into south facing Lincoln County rivers. The heaviest wind and rain is expected between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Monday night, just in time to coincide with the evening rush hour, according to the NWS.
A variety of damage, including trees down on houses and power outages, is being reported in areas south of Maine as the storm tracks north.
The Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency (LCEMA) is prepared for the coming onslaught, according to LCEMA Director Tim Pellerin. “We are preparing for flooded roads. We have alerted the local and state departments of transportation (DOT) and they are on stand-by. Central Maine Power (CMP) is on stand-by,” Pellerin said.
“People need to be aware that there is a significant storm coming this evening, Pellerin emphasized. “The problems are going to be rainfall and snowbanks that act as bowls, holding water, including water that will puddle on the roads,” Pellerin said.
“Don’t drive through flooded roads,” Pellerin warned. “Turn around, don’t drown.”
Two bulletins have been issued by the NWS in regard to this storm. A Flood Watch remains in effect through Tuesday morning and a High Wind Warning remains in effect from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m, on Monday, according to the NWS.
Especially ominous for Lincoln County, the High Wind Warning states that “the strongest wind gusts are expected along the midcoast, where 60 mph wind gusts will occur late this afternoon and this evening,” according to the NWS. Sustained winds are forecast at 25 to 30 mph, according to the NWS.
“Wind speeds this strong could result in downed tress and power lines,” the NWS warns, adding on a kinder note that, “Winds will diminish fairly quickly during the evening from west to east after the front passes by.”
The Flood Watch warns that heavy rainfall combined with snowmelt could result in flooding Monday and Monday night, according to the NWS.
At this time, between 1-3 inches of rainfall is expected Monday into Monday evening, according to the NWS. The rainfall and melted snow could create runoff, bringing the threat of flooding to low-lying areas and roads. Residents are encouraged to check their drainage areas to ensure they are clear of snow and ice.
Flooding from rivers is unlikely, according to the NWS, as most rivers in Maine are frozen. However, runoff combined with tides and storm surge may affect tidal rivers such as the Sheepscot and the Damariscotta.
Fortunately the high tides during the storm are relatively mild, with an 8.0 forecast for 6:44 p.m Monday evening. However, storm surge during the height of the storm may cause water to rise. The high tide on Tuesday morning following the storm could be a bit more troublesome, with a height of 9.8 feet at 7:01 a.m. combined with continued runoff from sources upriver, and high temps climbing above the freeze mark allowing for melting. (Tide information is for Wiscasset and obtained from www.maineboatsandharbors.com.)
Temps are forecast to remain unseasonably high, ranging into the mid 40’s during the storm. Fortunately, temps are forecast to stay above freezing during the overnight hours, reducing the possibility of widespread black ice on local roads.
So far, no significant damage has been reported in Lincoln County as a result of this storm, according to the LCEMA and other sources. Some schools had a two-hour delay Monday morning, and there were some minor traffic accidents on wet, icy roads Monday morning.
The Lincoln County News will continue to follow the progress of this weather event and post any additional information here as soon as it becomes available.
