The National Weather Service has issued a High Surf Advisory for coastal Maine, including Lincoln County. The advisory warns that unusually large waves generated by Hurricane Cristobal will create dangerous conditions at shoreline locations, with that level of danger increasing in locations like Pemaquid Point where visitors have easy access to areas affected by high surf.
This particular High Surf Advisory includes aspects that should cause anyone venturing into shoreline areas to exercise due caution.
First, the wave height is estimated at a noteworthy 4 to 8 feet. These are described by NWS as “deep water swells,” which means that wave heights will be increased when these large swells hit shallow water on the immediate coastline. If one were to consider the swell to be like a large ball rolling toward shore, with most of it submerged while in deep water, and then consider the effect of this large ball rolling up on shore in shallow water; it is easy to visualize how enormous waves can suddenly rise up to unexpected heights when they hit shore.
Second, and most importantly, the NWS Advisory states that the timing between these waves is extraordinarily long, 14 to 15 seconds.
For the shoreline viewer, the combined phenomenon of wave height and interval has the effect of delivering a large wave to the shoreline followed by a period of calm with no other large waves visible on the horizon. This allows for the viewer to have the mistaken impression that it is safe to move closer to the shoreline, when in fact there is a probability that the next wave will appear suddenly when it hits the shallow water, and be of much greater size than the waves preceding it.
Another common misconception is that there is safety outside of the so-called “splash zone” – shore areas where that are wet from wave effects. In fact, changing wind and tide patterns, as well as the unpredictability of the actual wave height, make the splash zone and areas near it potentially dangerous for viewers. Instead, anyone wanting to view large surf should consider staying at least 100 yards away and uphill from the closest splash zone.
For those who seek to get close enough to the surf so that the waves can splash on them, they should consider that — aside from the immediate danger of heavy surf dragging victims over sharp rocks and into unforgiving turbulence – the possibility of rescue creates an extremely difficult and hazardous situation for first responders.
“Large waves can sweep a person into the ocean from what may normally be a safe viewing area,” the NWS warns.
The Bristol Parks and Recreation Dept. has set up warning signs in the Pemaquid Point area, according to the Bristol Town Office.
The High Surf Advisory remains in effect until 11 a.m. Friday morning.
Hurricane Cristobal is forecast to remain well offshore, with the only noticeable effect in Lincoln County being sea conditions.
The Lincoln County News will continue to follow the progress of this event and post any additional information here as soon as it is received.
(Note: “The Wave”, a book by Susan Casey, was used to contribute information on wave height, timing and the effects thereof used in this article.)
