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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Caribou ME
615 AM EDT Wed Jul 17 2019

...PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...

...Hurricane Preparedness Week 2019...

The National Weather Service offices in Maine have declared the week
of July 15th through 19th, Hurricane Preparedness Week in Maine.
This is the third in a series of five public information statements
to be issued by the National Weather Service Office in Caribou,
Maine containing information on hurricane safety and preparedness.

Todays Topic: Storm Surge, Waves, and Marine Safety

Storm surge is the deadliest hazard associated with hurricanes.
It is a rise in the sea level produced by water being pushed
toward the shore by the force of the winds within a storm.
Storm surge is not just a coastal event. In some areas, the
sea water can travel well inland with devastating consequences.

Storm surge is strongly influenced by a hurricanes track,
forward motion, intensity and size. Changes in any of these storm
characteristics will significantly alter the amount of
storm surge.

Along the Maine coast, the greatest threat of damage from storm
surge lies in the beach areas south of Portland and in the Penobscot
and Machias Bay areas.

In addition to the speed and intensity of the hurricane, the
level of surge in a particular area is also determined by the
slope of the underwater topography and the shape of the coast
line.

In northern New England, the greatest factor in determining
the effects of a storm surge is the timing of the surge with
respect to the astronomical tides.  If the storm surge hits
at the time of low tide, little if any coastal flooding will
occur.  If, however, the surge hits at high tide,
considerable coastal flooding, beach erosion, and other
damage is possible.  Unfortunately, the exact timing of
landfall in northern New England is often difficult to
predict very far in advance, so plans should be made based on
the possibility the surge could strike at high tide.

Wave and current action associated with the tide also causes
extensive damage.  Water weighs approximately 1700 pounds per
cubic yard, and extended pounding by frequent waves can
demolish any structure not specifically designed to withstand
such forces.  Waves generated from distant or approaching
storms can also present a hazard to those who are near the
ocean.  Strong rip currents can carry even strong swimmers
out to sea, and unexpected large waves can wash people from
rocks.

Hurricanes have been the cause of many maritime disasters
and, unfortunately, there is no single rule of thumb that can
be used by mariners to ensure safe separation from a
hurricane at sea. In order to minimize risk,  mariners should
allow for a large margin of error in the hurricane track and
intensity forecasts.

For those with boats, it`s important to plan ahead.  Know
exactly what you need to do and how long it will take you to
accomplish the necessary tasks.  Keep in mind that others
will also be taking preparatory actions too, so leave
yourself additional time.

The 1938 hurricane that affected New England caused a
10 to 12 ft surge in Narragansett and Buzzards Bays.

FACT FOR THE DAY:  The location with the greatest potential
for storm surge along the northern New England coast is the
Penobscot River near Bangor, Maine.  Computer model estimates
indicate that the funneling effect of the Penobscot Bay and
River could lead to a 23 foot tide (MLLW) for a Category 3 hurricane
moving north at 40 mph.

Now is the time to prepare for Hurricanes and Tropical Storms:

http://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-preparedness
http://www.ready.gov/evacuating-yourself-and-your-family
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/marine.php

$$