PORTLAND, Maine — The next in a series of powerful storms will move in Friday night, and it's looking very similar to the one that just pounded the state with snow, rain, wind, and significant coastal flooding. They're almost identical twins. The strength is about the same, just a little weaker. The track looks identical, traveling to our west, an inside runner, ejecting warm air north to change snow to rain and blast us with big onshore wind gusts. But, sadly and most importantly, the coastal flood threat is the same.
Here's a look at the snow potential. The mountains get pasted, and the coast gets little to nothing.
The wind will peak Saturday morning with gusts over 50 mph. Outages look likely again.
Wednesday's storm was historic, one of the highest water levels ever recorded in Portland Harbor. It rivaled the infamous Blizzard of '78.
I fear it's going to happen again. The storm may be weaker, but the tide is actually a foot higher than the tide in the last storm. Many protective dunes and retaining structures have been damaged or destroyed, making the coast even more vulnerable.
At the moment, I don't see a scenario where we come out of this unscathed. Roads will need to be closed off, beaches will get rearranged, and damage to waterfront property will likely all happen again. Our best hope is the track shifts and the timing and intensity changes.
I know what I'm saying is stern and I don’t take these words lightly. I’m not saying these things to be an alarmist. I realize the effort that it’s going to take to shore up the waterfront, the working harbors, and beach homes. It’s a pretty big task in a short amount of time. Thankfully, the weather will be quiet Thursday and Friday to tackle some of that work.
Stay with us through the storm for updates.
