A combination of heavy rainfall and high tide caused a bit of commotion in downtown Damariscotta Sept. 30, as water measuring up to a foot deep pooled in the municipal parking lot.
The standing water was contained to the area around the storm drain.
“The water has nowhere to go because the outflow line is below tide level,” Lutkus said. “Even after the storm dissipates, there will still be water in the parking lot until the tide goes down.”
Lutkus said measures included in the Damariscotta Waterfront Committee’s final report would help combat any potential flood possibilities in the future. The Damariscotta Board of Selectmen approved the report at its Aug. 19 meeting.
One of the components of the plan is an estimated $2.8 million flood-resilency plan that would include rebuilding the sanitary and storm drainage systems, reconstruction of the parking lot, and the construction of a mostly below-ground seawall that would improve flood protection for buildings in the downtown area.
“Right now our concern is property damage,” Lutkus said. “It’s one thing when for the street to flood because it will dissipate in time. It’s when water gets into basements and buildings that can cause lasting damage.”
Lutkus said until the rain subsided, there wasn’t anything that could be done.
“The drainage systems just aren’t built to withstand this amount of rain at one time,” Lutkus said. ”
Lutkus urged residents to use caution when driving, especially in low-lying areas and through standing water.
“The general rule of thumb is to avoid driving through water when you don’t know the depth because of the potential dangers,” Lutkus said.
