BANGOR, Maine — High winds, heavy rain and an astronomical high tide had Mainers eyeing waterways across the state Thursday night, with the potential for flooding expected to last into the upcoming weekend.
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Kenduskeag Plaza in downtown Bangor on Thursday night into Friday, according to a city official. The plaza and its parking areas were scheduled to be closed from 9 p.m. Thursday to 7 a.m. Friday, according to Public Works Director Dana Wardwell.
The National Weather Service issued flood watches in northern and central Maine through Saturday. About 1 to 2 inches of rain were predicted to fall over parts of the state Thursday afternoon into Friday.
A high wind warning was posted for much of the state, with gusts up to 60 mph in coastal areas predicted. More than 14,700 customers of Central Maine Power were without electricity as of 7 p.m. Thursday, and the total was rising. Emera Maine had nearly 1,700 outages reported at that time, with the largest concentrations in Penobscot and Hancock counties. Its outage numbers also were quickly climbing.
Also as of 8 p.m., Route 17 in Fayette was down to one lane because of fallen trees, and Route 94 in Garland was down to one lane due to flooding, the Maine Department of Transportation said in separate email alerts.
Ice still remains on several rivers across far northern Maine, including the St. John and Aroostook rivers. The combination of rainfall and milder temperatures will result in the potential for ice jams and flooding, the National Weather Service said.
Flood watches also were posted in western Maine, including parts of Somerset, Oxford and Franklin counties, according to the weather service office in Gray.
Minor to moderate coastal flooding was possible Thursday night in York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln and Knox counties.
High tide Thursday morning deposited enough seaweed on the causeway connecting Sedgwick and Deer Isle that a plow truck was used to remove it, according to the Hancock County Emergency Management Agency. Motorists were cautioned not to attempt to drive on the causeway if it is covered with seawater as high tide approached at 11:30 p.m. Thursday.