Maine washouts, road closures: Heavy rain soaks ground, winds knock down trees
WANT TO TAKE YOU OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW TO TELL YOU WHAT’S HAPPENING OUT THERE. WE HAVE TRACKER EIGHT MONITORING OUR ROAD CONDITIONS. WE’RE CHECKING ONCE AGAIN WITH OUR NORAH HOGAN. SHE’S LIVE FOR US IN YORK COUNTY NOR HOW’S IT LOOKING OUT THERE RIGHT NOW? HI. CHRISTINA AND JESSICA, WE’RE ON 95, HEADED NORTH FROM YORK, HEADED BACK TOWARDS WESTBROOK ROAD CONDITIONS. I’LL GIVE YOU A LOOK. I MEAN, THEY’RE NOT TOO BAD. AT LEAST ON 95. DEFINITELY SOME SLICK, WET ROADS, BUT THE RAIN ISN’T COMING DOWN TOO HEAVILY AND THE VISIBILITY ISN’T TOO BAD, WHICH IS DEFINITELY POSITIVE. BUT ON SOME OF THOSE BACK ROADS, WE DID SEE A LOT OF BRANCHES, LEAVES, DEBRIS THAT HAD BEEN WHIPPED UP AND BROUGHT ONTO THE ROAD. SO BE AWARE OF THAT. IF YOU’RE OUT AND ABOUT RUNNING ERRANDS OR ANYTHING DURING THE DAY AND THE WIND, IT IS INTENSE. SO WE WERE JUST AT NUBBLE LIGHT. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO’VE BEEN WATCHING ALL MORNING, YOU SAW IT. IT WAS VERY INTENSE. WE WERE SITTING WITH 40 MILE PER HOUR WINDS JUST AS THE BASELINE, AND THEN REALLY PICKING UP TO SOME HEAVY, HEAVY 60 MILE PER HOUR WIND GUSTS, EVEN REACHING 73MPH AT ONE POINT. AND JUST FOR A WAY OF COMPARISON, HERE I WAS ACTUALLY UP IN BAR HARBOR COVERING POST-TROPICAL STORM LEE BACK IN SEPTEMBER. THIS FELT WORSE. IT WAS WHIPPING US AROUND, MADE ITRILLIONEALLY DIFFICULT, HARD TO OPEN THE CAR DOORS REALLY DICEY WHEN YOU’RE STANDING OUT THERE AND YOU CAN FEEL THE CAR SHAKING. SO IF YOU’RE ON THE COAST AND YOU’RE HITTING SOME OF THOSE, UM, DIFFICULT, WINDY AREAS JUST BE READY FOR THAT. THAT’S WHAT YOU MIGHT BE ENCOUNTERING. AND OBVIOUSLY THESE HIGH WINDS ALSO CAUSING PROBLEMS IN TERMS OF POWER OUTAGES IN YORK COUNTY ALONE. WE’VE SEEN MORE THAN 24,000 CUSTOMERS WITHOUT POWER. AND BECAUSE OF THE WIND SPEEDS, IT’S PROBABLY DIFFICULT FOR CMP LINE CREWS TO EVEN GET THAT UP AND RUNNING. SO THAT’S SOMETHING TO BE AWARE OF, TOO. IF YOU DO HAVE POWER RIGHT NOW, CHARGE UP YOUR PHONES AND YOUR EMERGENCY DEVICES JUST SO THAT YOU HAVE EVERYTHING READY. IF YOU DO LOSE POWER. AND OF COURSE, BE CAREFUL BECAUSE ALL OF THIS IS IMPACTING THE ROADS TOO, WITH TREE LINES AND DOWNED POWER LINES. BE AWARE OF THAT AND I’LL SEND IT BACK TO THE DESK SO THAT YOU CAN HEAR A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THOSE ROAD CLOSURES, BUT LIVE ON 95. I’M NORAH HOGAN FOR MAINE’S TOTAL WEATHER BACK TO YOU GUYS. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH NORAH. YEAH WE HAVE SOME ROAD CLOSURES TO TELL YOU ABOUT IN YORK COUNTY. ACCORDING TO YORK COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, THERE’S A LARGE TREE BLOCKING SHAPLEIGH ROAD NEAR HOUSE NUMBER TEN. YOU’RE GOING TO WANT TO AVOID THAT AREA. AND IF YOU’RE IN BUXTON, PART OF CHURCH HILL ROAD IS ALSO CLOSED RIGHT NOW, OFFICIALS EXPECT MORE ISSUES AS THE DAY GOES ON, INCLUDING COASTAL FLOODING AS HIGH TIDE APPROACHES. HIGH TIDE IS ABOUT 3 P.M. IN SOUTH BERWICK. SEVERAL ROADS ARE CLOSED. THAT INCLUDES BELLE MARSH ROAD, VINE STREET, KNIGHTS
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Maine washouts, road closures: Heavy rain soaks ground, winds knock down trees
Heavy, soaking rains are causing closures on Maine roadways, as weather continues to move through the state. >> CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST WEATHER UPDATEReports of closures, washouts and flooding:Lewiston:Switzerland Road at St. Peter’s Cemetery, 217 Switzerland Road to Gulf Island AvenueTall Pines Drive from North Woods to Strawberry AvenueOxford Street at Cedar StreetRiver Street at Oxford Street, Nel CourtLincoln DriveLincoln TerraceRiver Road at Ferry Road will have limited accessLincoln Street from Cedar Street to South AvenueDixfield: Low hanging utility wires on Common Road near Chapel StreetCanton Point Road near boat landingWeld Street past Averill HillMain Street/Route 2 between Hall Hill and Old Canton RoadOtisfield: Oak Hill Road at Smith BrookRoute 121 from town office to Cobb Hill RoadPowhatan Road/Route 121 to Scribner Hill RoadCobb Hill RoadMcallister RoadFarmington: Route 2Route 4Route 27Route 43South Berwick: Belle Marsh RoadVine StreetKnights Pond RoadBoyds Corner RoadAugusta: North of the Front Street Parking Lot will be closed at 4 p.m. Denmark: Route 117 / East Main Street near Hilton Road is flooded.Mountain Road west of Pleasant Valley Way closed due to trees, wires down. Route 177 / Bull Ring Road has water washing over the roadway in multiple areas.Scarborough: Gorham Road between Running Hill Road and Beech Ridge Road is closed.Pleasant Hill Road between Highland Avenue and Chamberlain Road andDresser Road is also impassable at this time.Old Town: Bennoch Road is closed near the intersection of Sullivan DriveNew Gloucester: Underpass Road at Cobbs Bridge closed for wires down.Outlet Road at West Short Drive closed for a tree and wires down.Swamp Road near #55 is closed for trees and wires down.Intervale Road at Estes Road for a large tree blocking the road.Range RoadShort Bennett Road is closed at the Windmill Lane intersection, Windmill is closed due to wires down.Jeanne Lane is blocked at the Penney Road intersection.Chandler Mill Road near #32 for trees and wires down.Springvale: Main Street, north of Black Bear Auto blocked. One lane open.Levant:Union Street Levant in area of Call Construction, at Wagner Road, and Raymond NelsonGriffin Road Levant area of Box #34Stetson Road West Levant Box #309 to 403Tay Road at the Levant/Kenduskeag town lineAvenue Road Levant before Sinclair RoadHollis: Killock Pond Road closed from Poland Spring to Route 35Standish: Tree down on Route 113 in StandishEllsworth: Surry Road is closed to all traffic due to downed trees and wiresBayside Road near Alton Avenue closedMonmouth:Wilson Pond Road between New Street and Old Lewiston RoadNorris Hill Road between Blue Road and 202Cemetery Road near Ridge RoadWestbrook: Park Road is closed in the 200 block.Methodist Road is closed at the 900 block.Mast Road is closed by Duck Pond Road. Clinton: River RoadCanaan RoadBattleridge RoadHorseback RoadYork County: 10 Shapleigh Road in Kittery250 Church Hill Road in Buxton* Some reports of washouts of roadways may be partial. Maine's Total Coverage is working to confirm reports. >> Tens of thousands are currently without power. The outage mapIf you live in a flood-prone or were recently hard-hit by rain, you are urged to plan ahead. Rises on rivers and streams are likely as well more road washouts.>> Interactive RadarTake Flash Flood Warnings very seriously and do not attempt to drive through floodwaters.
MAINE —
Heavy, soaking rains are causing closures on Maine roadways, as weather continues to move through the state.
>> CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST WEATHER UPDATE
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Reports of closures, washouts and flooding:
Lewiston:
- Switzerland Road at St. Peter’s Cemetery, 217 Switzerland Road to Gulf Island Avenue
- Tall Pines Drive from North Woods to Strawberry Avenue
- Oxford Street at Cedar Street
- River Street at Oxford Street, Nel Court
- Lincoln Drive
- Lincoln Terrace
- River Road at Ferry Road will have limited access
- Lincoln Street from Cedar Street to South Avenue
Dixfield:
- Low hanging utility wires on Common Road near Chapel Street
- Canton Point Road near boat landing
- Weld Street past Averill Hill
- Main Street/Route 2 between Hall Hill and Old Canton Road
Otisfield:
- Oak Hill Road at Smith Brook
- Route 121 from town office to Cobb Hill Road
- Powhatan Road/Route 121 to Scribner Hill Road
- Cobb Hill Road
- Mcallister Road
Farmington:
- Route 2
- Route 4
- Route 27
- Route 43
South Berwick:
- Belle Marsh Road
- Vine Street
- Knights Pond Road
- Boyds Corner Road
Augusta:
- North of the Front Street Parking Lot will be closed at 4 p.m.
Denmark:
- Route 117 / East Main Street near Hilton Road is flooded.
- Mountain Road west of Pleasant Valley Way closed due to trees, wires down.
- Route 177 / Bull Ring Road has water washing over the roadway in multiple areas.
Scarborough:
- Gorham Road between Running Hill Road and Beech Ridge Road is closed.
- Pleasant Hill Road between Highland Avenue and Chamberlain Road and
- Dresser Road is also impassable at this time.
Old Town:
- Bennoch Road is closed near the intersection of Sullivan Drive
New Gloucester:
- Underpass Road at Cobbs Bridge closed for wires down.
- Outlet Road at West Short Drive closed for a tree and wires down.
- Swamp Road near #55 is closed for trees and wires down.
- Intervale Road at Estes Road for a large tree blocking the road.
- Range Road
- Short Bennett Road is closed at the Windmill Lane intersection, Windmill is closed due to wires down.
- Jeanne Lane is blocked at the Penney Road intersection.
- Chandler Mill Road near #32 for trees and wires down.
Springvale:
- Main Street, north of Black Bear Auto blocked. One lane open.
Levant:
- Union Street Levant in area of Call Construction, at Wagner Road, and Raymond Nelson
- Griffin Road Levant area of Box #34
- Stetson Road West Levant Box #309 to 403
- Tay Road at the Levant/Kenduskeag town line
- Avenue Road Levant before Sinclair Road
Hollis:
- Killock Pond Road closed from Poland Spring to Route 35
Standish:
- Tree down on Route 113 in Standish
Ellsworth:
- Surry Road is closed to all traffic due to downed trees and wires
- Bayside Road near Alton Avenue closed
Monmouth:
- Wilson Pond Road between New Street and Old Lewiston Road
- Norris Hill Road between Blue Road and 202
- Cemetery Road near Ridge Road
Westbrook:
- Park Road is closed in the 200 block.
- Methodist Road is closed at the 900 block.
- Mast Road is closed by Duck Pond Road.
Clinton:
- River Road
- Canaan Road
- Battleridge Road
- Horseback Road
York County:
- 10 Shapleigh Road in Kittery
- 250 Church Hill Road in Buxton
* Some reports of washouts of roadways may be partial. Maine's Total Coverage is working to confirm reports.
>> Tens of thousands are currently without power. The outage map
If you live in a flood-prone or were recently hard-hit by rain, you are urged to plan ahead. Rises on rivers and streams are likely as well more road washouts.
>> Interactive Radar
Take Flash Flood Warnings very seriously and do not attempt to drive through floodwaters.
As an expert in meteorology and environmental sciences, I bring a wealth of knowledge to help you understand the situation described in the article about Maine washouts and road closures due to heavy rain and strong winds. My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of weather patterns, storm dynamics, and the impacts on various geographical regions.
The evidence supporting my expertise lies in my comprehensive knowledge of the terminology and concepts used in the article. Let's break down the key concepts:
-
Heavy Rain and Ground Soaking:
- Heavy rainfall can lead to soil saturation and increase the risk of landslides, road washouts, and flooding.
- Slick, wet roads are expected, posing hazards to drivers.
-
Wind Impact:
- High wind speeds, as mentioned in the article, can lead to the uprooting of trees and the scattering of debris on roads.
- The intensity of the wind, measured in miles per hour (mph), can have significant consequences for outdoor activities and infrastructure.
-
Road Conditions:
- The reporter mentions the conditions on Interstate 95 and back roads, highlighting the challenges faced by drivers, including debris on the road.
- Coastal areas are particularly affected, with intense winds making travel difficult.
-
Power Outages:
- Strong winds can cause power outages by bringing down power lines and disrupting the electrical grid.
- The article notes the specific impact on power outages in York County, with more than 24,000 customers affected.
-
Safety Precautions:
- Advisories are given, urging people to be cautious, charge their electronic devices, and be prepared for potential power outages.
- The hazardous conditions are emphasized, especially for those on the coast and in areas with high winds.
-
Road Closures:
- Specific road closures are mentioned, indicating the immediate impact on transportation.
- The closures are due to various factors, including fallen trees, downed power lines, and flooding.
-
Coastal Flooding:
- The article warns of potential coastal flooding as high tide approaches, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
-
Emergency Management and Reporting:
- Emergency management information is included, such as the large tree blocking Shapleigh Road and other road closures in York County.
- Live reporting from the field adds a real-time aspect to the article, providing a firsthand account of the conditions.
In summary, the expertise demonstrated here encompasses a detailed understanding of meteorological events, their impact on infrastructure, and the necessary safety precautions in response to severe weather conditions.
