Severe Winter Storm Causes Devastating Coastal Flooding in Southern Maine

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ICARO Media Group
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14/01/2024 19h25

OWLS HEAD, Maine - A powerful winter storm ravaged the coastal town of Owls Head, Maine, resulting in destructive flooding and significant property damage. Video footage captured the harrowing moment when a cabin was swept onto a rocky shore during the storm on Wednesday.

The storm, which hit on Tuesday, unleashed fierce winds that forcefully pushed water onto the shore, causing widespread flooding in Owls Head and its surrounding areas. By Wednesday afternoon, the water level had risen to nearly 14 feet, surpassing the region's flood stage of 12 feet, as reported by the National Weather Service.

The video footage begins at approximately 9:15 a.m., revealing the cabin floating in the tumultuous water. The cabin, originating from a nearby small island, is seen bobbing up and down amidst crashing waves and spraying water. The relentless waves eventually push the cabin closer and closer to the rocky shore until it is firmly beached.

The cabin's fate was not an isolated incident. In the neighboring community of Georgetown, southwest of Owls Head, the storm's powerful waves tore off a dining room from a building as they relentlessly pounded the shoreline.

The violent waves wreaked havoc on several areas along the Maine coast, as shown in another video depicting a home in Trenton, Maine, being battered by the overwhelming force of the waves.

Unfortunately, the coastal areas of Maine are not out of danger yet. The National Weather Service has issued a Storm Warning, which will remain in effect until Saturday afternoon. Winds with speeds ranging from 40 to 50 mph, and gusts reaching nearly 70 mph, are expected from the southeast. These intense winds have the potential to generate wave heights of 13 to 18 feet.

The NWS warns that the strong winds will result in hazardous seas, posing a threat to vessels that may capsize or sustain severe damage. Additionally, visibility may be significantly reduced due to the weather conditions.

As historical water levels persist, widespread moderate to major coastal flooding is anticipated along the Maine coast. The peak storm surge is estimated to reach up to 3.5 feet, further adding to the potential damage caused by the storm.

Residents and authorities are urged to exercise extreme caution during this period of intense weather conditions.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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