Hurricane Preparedness

Living in Maine near the cool Northern Atlantic waters does not make Maine immune from Hurricanes. In fact, many storms that have struck as hurricanes in other places move up the East Coast as Tropical Storms or Extratropical Storms (similar to a winter Nor'easter)

We live in Windham, approximately 8-12 miles from the Maine coast. Do we have to worry about Hurricanes?

YES!

Despite the fact that Windham is several miles away from the coast, Hurricanes and Tropical Storms can still wreak havoc in our town.

While Hurricanes and Tropical Storms are generally associated with warmer climes, they can occur here in Maine and pack quite a punch. According to AccuWeather, the New England coastline is overdue for a Major Hurricane. With weather patterns resembling those of the 1930s, 40s and 50s when major Hurricanes struck New England several times, it is not a question of if, but when the next Major Hurricane will strike.

The strongest winds in a hurricane usually occur on the right (eastern) side of the track. If a hurricane makes landfall on the northern New England coast, the strongest winds will be to the east of the center of the storm. In contrast, most of the precipitation falls on the left (western) side of the storm track. Hurricane Bob in 1991 and Hurricane Gloria in 1985 are two recent examples of storms that had a major impact on Maine with two totally different tracks.

Hurricane Gloria - September 1985

In 1985, Hurricane Gloria (pictured above Courtesy of NOAA) took aim at Western Long Island and the Connecticut coastline. The storm continued to move rapidly through Western New England and moved west of Windham as a minimal Hurricane. This left Windham on the eastern side of the storm.

Despite the lack of rain (.41 inches officially in Portland), Maine still suffered significant damage from high winds that were clocked at 70 mph in Portland and 80 mph in Old Orchard Beach.  Those winds knocked out power for as many as 250,000 people at the height of the storm. Some people were in the dark for up to two weeks.

Hurricane Bob - August 1991

Hurricane Bob in 1991 struck Southern New England and moved into the Gulf of Maine just east of Portland as a strong Tropical Storm.

Being on the western side of the system, Portland received sustained winds of about 40mph (with a 60mph gust) but had a record (at the time) 7.83 inches of rain causing extensive flooding.

Several bridges in Windham and Gorham were washed out by the rapid rise of small rivers and streams. Total damages in Maine were estimated at over $200 Million.

Just because we have not seen a Hurricane strike in almost 17 years doesn't mean it cannot happen. Sooner or later our luck will run out.

More about Hurricanes
2008 List of Names
Terminology
Emergency Supply Kit