The 3:05 p.m. advisory issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) Monday afternoon has narrowed down the time that elements of Hurricane Sandy are forecast have the most impact on Lincoln County.
The strongest winds and most dangerous tidal surge are expected from Monday evening into Monday night, according to the NWS.
A High Wind Warning remains in effect until 8 a.m. Tuesday and a Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect until 5 a.m. Tuesday, according to the NWS.
Hurricane Sandy has been reported to be one of the largest storm systems in history, according to the Weather Channel. While it is a relatively small category 1 hurricane, it may have the lowest barometric pressure of any recorded storm and the storm’s effects are spread out over a 1,000 mile area, according to reports..
Easterly winds with a sustained velocity of 30 to 40 mph and gusts to 60 mph are presently forecast for Lincoln County, according to the NWS.
There is the potential for minor structural damage is near the coast, where winds will be strongest, according to the NWS. Widespread power outages caused by trees and limbs knocked down by the wind are also possible, according to the NWS.
The storm surge at high tide on Monday is forecast to be 3 to 4-feet, according to the NWS. The night-time high tide for Boothbay is forecast at 9.1-feet at 11:12 p.m. The night tide for Wiscasset is forecast at 9.7 at 11:34 p.m. (Tides according to charts at maineboats.com.)
Hurricane Sandy is forecast to come ashore near Ocean City, New Jersey Monday evening, possibly still as a category 1 storm, according to the NWS.
Rain, heavy at times, is also in the forecast, beginning as showers on Monday, intensifying Monday night through Tuesday then winding down by Wednesday morning, according to the NWS.
The Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency (LCEMA) urges residents to check drainage runoffs on their property to ensure that they are not blocked by fallen leaves, a condition that may cause flooding.
The Lincoln County News website will continue to follow the progress of this event, with constant coverage beginning Monday, extending into the night-time hours, and continuing on Tuesday. Any additional information will be posted here as soon as it becomes available. Anyone with information on the storm is encouraged to contact Greg Latimer directly at 207-380-9912 or greglatimer@yahoo.com.
