Tropical Storm and Flash Flooding in Maine, September 16, 2023

Name: Tropical Storm and Flash Flooding in Maine, September 16, 2023
Start: 2023-09-16T10:00
End: 2023-09-16T23:00
Location: Maine

September 16, 2023 · NWS CAR · 15 events in 13 counties and zones

Tropical Storm Lee transitioned to a post-tropical cyclone while approaching the region. before lifting across New Brunswick.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 12 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 1
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 15

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS CAR wrote it up.

Tropical Storm Lee transitioned to a post-tropical cyclone while approaching the region. The storm made landfall in extreme southwest Nova Scotia during the afternoon of the 16th...near Long Island...before lifting across New Brunswick. The lowest pressure measured across northern and eastern Maine was 981.3 mb at Eastport in extreme southeast Washington county. A large wind field accompanied the storm...which impacted much of northern and eastern Maine. The highest wind gust also occurred in Eastport...closest to the point of landfall...measured at 54 knots (62 mph) during the morning of the 16th. The highest marine wind report was measured at 55 knots (63 mph) at the Jonesport buoy...also during the morning of the 16th. Wind gusts south of a line from southern Aroostook to central Piscataquis counties generally ranged from 39 to 48 knots (45 to 55 mph) through the morning into the afternoon of the 16th. Wind gusts across the remainder of northern and northwest Maine generally ranged from 30 to 39 knots (35 to 45 mph). These winds snapped branches and brought down many trees across northern and eastern Maine. The fallen trees and branches brought down power lines which contributed to power outages. No structural damage was reported across the region due to winds. A falling tree which smashed through the window of a van injured the driver.|Heavy rain accompanied the storm. The greatest rain totals occurred in southeast Washington county where local totals exceeded 6.00 inches...with a maximum total of 6.50 inches near Steuben. Localized flash flooding occurred in this area along with damage to roads and flooded basements. A sharp gradient of lesser rainfall occurred north and west of this region...with generally 2.00 to 4.00 inches on a line from northern Washington to Hancock counties. Totals of 1.00 to 2.00 inches occurred on a line from southern Aroostook to southern Penobscot counties. Totals northwest of this line were generally less than an inch.|Coastal flood impacts were minimal due to the strong offshore winds. The offshore winds mitigated coastal flood impacts during the several high tide cycles which occurred during this event. A rogue wave capsized a lobster boat off the coast of Hancock county injuring 2 on board. A whale watch vessel broke from its mooring and ran aground. This led to the release of 1800 gallons of fuel...creating a HAZMAT incident.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Caribou, ME wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 16, 7:21 AM EST, 2 hours 39 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 16, 7:21 AM EST, 2 hours 39 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 16, 4:24 AM EST, 5 hours 36 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Caribou ME
524 AM EDT Sat Sep 16 2023

MEZ004-005-010-015-031-170930-
Northern Piscataquis-Northern Penobscot-Central Piscataquis-
Southern Penobscot-Southern Piscataquis-
524 AM EDT Sat Sep 16 2023

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Central Highlands Maine,
North Woods Maine and Penobscot Valley Maine.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tropical Storm Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

MEZ002-006-011-016-017-032-170930-
Northeast Aroostook-Southeast Aroostook-Central Penobscot-
Interior Hancock-Central Washington-Northern Washington-
524 AM EDT Sat Sep 16 2023

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Far Eastern Maine, Far
Northern Maine, Interior DownEast Maine and Penobscot Valley Maine.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

MEZ001-003-170930-
Northwest Aroostook-Northern Somerset-
524 AM EDT Sat Sep 16 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Far Northern Maine and North
Woods Maine.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Gusty winds could produce isolated tree damage and sporadic power
outages.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

MEZ029-030-170930-
Coastal Hancock-Coastal Washington-
524 AM EDT Sat Sep 16 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT SUNDAY...
...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Coastal DownEast Maine.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Coastal Flood Warning.
   High Surf Advisory.
   Flood Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   High Surf Advisory.
   Flood Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

ANZ050>052-170930-
Coastal Waters from Eastport, ME to Schoodic Point, ME out 25 NM-
Coastal Waters from Schoodic Point, ME to Stonington, ME out 25 NM-
Intra Coastal Waters from Schoodic Point, ME to Stonington, ME-
524 AM EDT Sat Sep 16 2023

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic Coastal Waters.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tropical Storm Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 16, 9:37 AM EST, 23 minutes before

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Local storm report, Sep 16, 9:41 AM EST, 19 minutes before

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Local storm report, Sep 16, 9:43 AM EST, 17 minutes before

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Local storm report, Sep 16, 9:44 AM EST, 16 minutes before

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Local storm report, Sep 16, 9:49 AM EST, 11 minutes before

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Local storm report, Sep 16, 9:50 AM EST, 10 minutes before

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The radar

The Caribou radar (KCBW), 92 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:00 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

12 tropical storm, 3 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Tropical Storm, Northeast Aroostook

When: September 16, 10:00 AM EST to 9:30 PM EST
Where: Northeast Aroostook forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 46.659, -68.599 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee brought gusty winds and rain to the region. Wind gusts generally ranged from 26 to 35 knots (30 to 40 mph). A peak wind gust of 37 knots (43 mph) was measured at Caribou. Rainfall generally ranged from 0.75 to 1.50 inches. Snapped branches and trees falling on power lines produced isolated to scattered power outages. No structural damage or flooding occurred.

Tropical Storm, Northern Penobscot

When: September 16, 10:00 AM EST to 9:30 PM EST
Where: Northern Penobscot forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 45.401, -68.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee brought gusty winds and rain to the region. Wind gusts generally ranged from 35 to 43 knots (40 to 50 mph). A peak wind gust of 44 knots (51 mph) was measured at Millinocket. Rainfall generally ranged from 0.75 to 1.50 inches. Snapped branches and trees falling on power lines produced isolated to scattered power outages. No structural damage or flooding occurred.

Tropical Storm, Southeast Aroostook

When: September 16, 10:00 AM EST to 9:30 PM EST
Where: Southeast Aroostook forecast zone
Injuries: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 46.659, -68.599 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee brought gusty winds and rain to the region. Wind gusts generally ranged from 35 to 43 knots (40 to 50 mph). A peak wind gust of 47 knots (54 mph) was measured at Houlton. Rainfall generally ranged from 1.25 to 2.25 inches. Snapped branches and trees falling on power lines produced isolated to scattered power outages. No structural damage or flooding occurred. The driver of a vehicle received minor injuries when they were unable to avoid a falling tree which smashed through the windshield. Other passengers were not injured. The incident occurred on Route 11 near Moro Plantation.

Tropical Storm, Central Piscataquis

When: September 16, 10:00 AM EST to 9:30 PM EST
Where: Central Piscataquis forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 45.837, -69.284 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee brought gusty winds and rain to the region. Wind gusts generally ranged from 35 to 43 knots (40 to 50 mph). A peak wind gust of 49 knots (56 mph) was measured at Greenville. Rainfall was less than 0.50 inch. Snapped branches and trees falling on power lines produced isolated to scattered power outages. No structural damage or flooding occurred.

Tropical Storm, Southern Piscataquis

When: September 16, 10:00 AM EST to 9:30 PM EST
Where: Southern Piscataquis forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.837, -69.284 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee brought gusty winds and rain to the region. Wind gusts generally ranged from 35 to 43 knots (40 to 50 mph). Rainfall was less than 0.50 inch. Snapped branches and trees falling on power lines produced isolated to scattered power outages. No structural damage or flooding occurred.

Tropical Storm, Central Penobscot

When: September 16, 10:00 AM EST to 9:30 PM EST
Where: Central Penobscot forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.401, -68.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee brought gusty winds and rain to the region. Wind gusts generally ranged from 35 to 43 knots (40 to 50 mph). Rainfall generally ranged from 1.50 to 2.50 inches. Snapped branches and trees falling on power lines produced isolated to scattered power outages. No structural damage or flooding occurred.

Tropical Storm, Interior Hancock

When: September 16, 10:00 AM EST to 9:30 PM EST
Where: Interior Hancock forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.563, -68.368 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee brought gusty winds and rain to the region. Wind gusts generally ranged from 35 to 43 knots (40 to 50 mph). Rainfall generally ranged from 2.00 to 3.00 inches. Snapped branches and trees falling on power lines produced isolated to scattered power outages. No structural damage or flooding occurred.

Tropical Storm, Northern Washington

When: September 16, 10:00 AM EST to 9:30 PM EST
Where: Northern Washington forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.970, -67.609 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee brought gusty winds and rain to the region. Wind gusts generally ranged from 35 to 43 knots (40 to 50 mph). Rainfall generally ranged from 2.00 to 3.50 inches. Snapped branches and trees falling on power lines produced isolated to scattered power outages. No structural damage or flooding occurred.

Tropical Storm, Southern Penobscot

When: September 16, 10:00 AM EST to 9:30 PM EST
Where: Southern Penobscot forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 45.401, -68.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee brought gusty winds and rain to the region. Wind gusts generally ranged from 39 to 48 knots (45 to 55 mph). A peak wind gust of 49 knots (56 mph) occurred in Bangor. Rainfall generally ranged from 1.25 to 2.50 inches. Snapped branches and trees falling on power lines produced isolated to scattered power outages. No structural damage or flooding occurred.

Tropical Storm, Coastal Hancock

When: September 16, 10:00 AM EST to 9:30 PM EST
Where: Coastal Hancock forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.563, -68.368 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee brought gusty winds and rain to the region. Wind gusts generally ranged from 39 to 48 knots (45 to 55 mph). A peak wind gust of 48 knots (55 mph) occurred at Sedgwick Ridge. Rainfall generally ranged from 2.40 to 4.25 inches...with a maximum total of 4.40 inches in Southwest Harbor. Snapped branches and trees falling on power lines produced scattered power outages. No structural damage or flooding occurred.

Tropical Storm, Central Washington

When: September 16, 10:00 AM EST to 9:30 PM EST
Where: Central Washington forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.970, -67.609 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee brought gusty winds and rain to the region. Wind gusts generally ranged from 39 to 48 knots (45 to 55 mph). Rainfall generally ranged from 3.00 to 5.00 inches...with a maximum total of 5.50 inches in Meddybemps. Snapped branches and trees falling on power lines produced scattered power outages. No structural damage occurred. However...the rain did produce localized flash flooding.

Tropical Storm, Coastal Washington

When: September 16, 10:00 AM EST to 9:30 PM EST
Where: Coastal Washington forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.970, -67.609 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee brought gusty winds and rain to the region. Wind gusts generally ranged from 43 to 52 knots (50 to 60 mph). A peak wind gust of 54 knots (62 mph) occurred at Eastport. Rainfall generally ranged from 4.00 to 6.00 inches...with a maximum total of 6.50 inches in Stueben. Snapped branches and trees falling on power lines produced scattered power outages. No structural damage occurred. However...the rain did produce localized flash flooding. Numerous basements were flooded in the Lubec area. The lowest recorded pressure of the storm...981.3 mb...was reported at Eastport.

Flash Flood, Washington

When: September 16, 1:00 PM EST to 11:00 PM EST
Where: Washington County, 0.86 mi SW of Pembroke to 2.29 mi WNW of Pembroke
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.941, -67.182

Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee produced 4.00 to 6.00 inches of rain which led to localized flash flooding. Brickyard Road in Pembroke was closed due to 6 to 10 inches of standing water on the road.

Flash Flood, Washington

When: September 16, 4:30 PM EST to 10:30 PM EST
Where: Washington County, 0.49 mi W of South Trescott to 1.14 mi ENE of South Trescott
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.770, -67.080

Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee produced 4.00 to 6.00 inches of rain which led to localized flash flooding. Portions of Route 191 in the vicinity of Trescott were closed due to flash flooding.

Flash Flood, Washington

When: September 16, 7:00 PM EST to 11:00 PM EST
Where: Washington County, 2.84 mi WNW of Ayers to 2.35 mi ENE of Meddybemps Gllspe Ar
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 44.996, -67.284

Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee produced 4.00 to 6.00 inches of rain which led to localized flash flooding. Flash flooding was reported at several locations around the town of Charlotte. Road closures due to flash flooding were reported on Station Road...Charlotte Road along with a portion of Route 214.

What these are

Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph).
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Maine in 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in Maine, September 2023 The 2023 hurricane season

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1141154, 1141155, 1141156, 1141158, 1141159, 1141160, 1141161, 1141162, 1141163, 1141164, 1141165, 1141166, 1141171, 1141838, 1141172.