BANGOR, Maine — Lines of slow-moving thunderstorms rolled through the state Monday afternoon and night, causing flooding in some parts of the state and potentially even a fire that destroyed a Bridgton home.
The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings in Monson, Eagle Lake and Jackman. Floodwaters were reported over Route 161 in Cross Lake in Aroostook County at around 7 p.m. Monday, after about 4.8 inches of rain had fallen on the area, the weather service said.
“Heavy rainfall of this magnitude can quickly flood roads and cause washouts, making them impassable,” the weather service said in a news release. “In addition, small creeks and streams could leave their banks and cause flooding. This is especially true in hilly and mountainous areas.”
A fire Monday that destroyed a home in Bridgton could have been sparked by lightning, but the cause has not yet been confirmed, fire officials told WGME.
More widespread storm damage was reported just over the border in New Hampshire, including flooding and downed trees and powerlines. Maine appears to have avoided the worst of the storm winds, as only about 200 power outages were reported Tuesday morning.
More heavy rain and thunderstorms hit parts of northern, central and Down East Maine on Tuesday morning, keeping a flash flood watch alive through the afternoon for much the state, according to the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service office in Caribou reported that more than half an inch of rain fell in just a 15-minute period when one of those storms hit their station on Tuesday.