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Storm Brings Heavy Snow, Power Outages & Coastal Flooding to New England

A multi-hazard storm entered New England last night and brought more heavy rain, mountain snow, coastal flooding and power outages. The storm dropped over a foot of snow across the higher terrain. With the heavy, wet nature of the snow, branches and wires were brought down. Just after 11am, nearly 70,000 customers across New England were without power. As of the early afternoon, the number had come down to around 42,000.



The additional mountain snow has also led to an avalanche warning being issued for the Presidential Range of New Hampshire. Avalanche conditions are currently rated as "high" (level 4 of 5). This warning remains in effect through 5am Monday.


Snowfall rates became heavy at times with thundersnow reported in northern New Hampshire and western Maine. A widespread 8-14 inches of snow has been reported in the mountains with Bartlett, NH seeing 14.3 inches, the most reported thus far.



Once again this winter, coastal areas (particularly Maine) saw notable coastal flooding. Moderate flood stage was observed at Hampton, NH and Portland, ME. Coastal roads across New England were reported to be flooded and closed around the time of high tide. Boulders were said to be strewn across Seawall Road in Machias, Maine.



Portland saw a preliminary crest of 13.3 feet, lower than the 13.8 feet that was forecast. This still put the city into moderate flood stage. Hampton crested at 12.08 feet, down from the 12.9 feet that was forecast. That 12.9 feet would have been bordering major flood stage.


The 12.08 feet marks low-end moderate flood stage. Scenes in Hampton were similar to the January storms. Numerous other tidal gauges across New England experienced minor flooding.


Photos from across the New England coast:


Should the 13.3 feet preliminary reading hold, it will mark the third top ten highest tide on record in Portland set this winter. The other two were the back to back storms in mid-January, which set the all-time highest and fourth highest tide on record. The 13.31 foot value would tie the eight highest value.




Potential top ten highest tides on record may have also been seen in Eastport, Maine (7th); Cutler, Maine (5th) and Bar Harbor (3rd). If the preliminary values hold, Bar Harbor will have seen their 1st, 2nd and 3rd highest tides on record this year.



Heavy rainfall also brought some inland and river flooding. A flash flood warning was issued for a portion of southwest Maine for portions of Androscoggin and Cumberland Counties. Several reports from the area note closed roads due to flooding. Windham, Maine Police reported "deep, flowing water over Falmouth Road." South Windham saw a report of a vehicle stuck in flood waters on Sebago Lake Road.


A flood warning remains in effect through 7pm this evening for Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Sagadahoc and York Counties in Maine. Several rivers in New England continue to have flood warnings posted. Rivers will need to be watched through tomorrow for rises.


Current flood alerts as of 1pm:


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