Storm Surge in Maine, March 6 to 7, 2001

Low pressure developed off the New Jersey coast on March 5th, then moved slowly to the waters south of Cape Cod by the morning of the 6th. The system stalled off the southern New England coast on the afternoon of the 6th, and then drifted east of the Gulf of Maine on the 7th. The storm caused very strong northeasterly winds and high seas along coastal sections of northern New England. Seas at the Portland Weather Buoy reached 17 feet. Peak wind gusts in the coastal waters on the 6th reached 45 knots at the Isles of Shoals, 56 knots at Matinicus Rock, and 37 knots at the Portland Weather Buoy. On the 7th, peak winds reached 61 knots at Isles of Shoals, 60 kts at Matinicus Rock, and 39 kts at the Portland Weather Buoy. The Portland Harbor tide gage reached 12.0 foot on the 6th and 12.4 feet, on the 7th. Flood stage is 12 feet. The southwest coast, which is more susceptible to flooding on a northeast wind, bore the brunt of the storm surge and tidal flooding. Flooding and beach erosion were reported in York and Cumberland Counties. High water caused problems along Commercial Street in Portland and debris covered roads in Kennebunk where a family was evacuated. Water covered coastal roadway Route 1a in York, Cape Neddick, and Saco. A footbridge in Perkins Cove was destroyed.