Flooding in Maine, December 12, 2000

A combination of astronomical high tides and strong onshore winds associated with low pressure tracking across northern Maine...forced water to back up into the lower reaches of the Penobscot River. This in turn caused water to back up into the Kenduskeag Stream...a tributary of the Penobscot River...at Bangor. The increased water levels in the Kenduskeag Stream caused some spillover into several low lying areas bordering the stream. The water also spilled into a parking garage through a breach in a retaining wall. A similar situation developed along the lower reaches of the Union River at Ellsworth where water forced up into the river contributed to some spillover into low lying areas bordering the river. In both instances...water levels receded with the passing of high tide ending the flooding.Some minor coastal flooding was also reported at the time of high tide. A portion of the causeway at Deer Isle was damaged by the high water and heavy surf. Some debris was also washed onto coastal roads.