CASTINE, Maine — This past weekend's powerful storm caused significant damage to waterfront properties in Castine. A dock on the town's pier just off Main Street was destroyed in the storm. It also caused damage to nearby wharfs and docks.
"I’ve been around here a long time. This was absolutely the highest, nastiest storm I’ve ever laid my eyes on here. The sea was 6, 7 feet pounding in here. The water was probably 3 or 4 feet beyond what I’ve ever seen it at before," Kenny Eaton, owner of Eaton's Boat Yard, said.
The boatyard there may be where the most significant damage in the Penobscot Bay community of Castine occurred.
"I’m devastated. My whole town is all screwed up," Eaton said.
The Eaton Boat Yard has been in his family for around 100 years. He believes the building is roughly 160 years old.
Eaton said several feet of water made it inside the building Saturday. It also caused significant damage to the dock attached to the building and the building's floor. Eaton said he estimated it will cost around $300,000 in repairs.
The community, however, is rallying to support Eaton and others impacted by the storm.
"I’ve never seen anything this bad. Been through several hurricanes years ago, but nothing like this," Peter Vogel said.
Vogel served for decades on the fire department and as a member of the Castine Selectboard. He now spends his winters in Florida but flew back to Castine after hearing about the damage.
"It’s the Maine way of doing things," Vogel said.
Vogel spent much of Monday helping remove seaweed strewn throughout the boat yard. It was enough seaweed to fill an entire dumpster.
Eaton said he does plan to rebuild, even though the road to recovery will be long.
"This is a family. This whole place is a family, not a town. It is a town, but it’s really a family," Eaton said.
The Town of Castine has shared on its Facebook page that donations are being collected to support residents and properties impacted by the storm through the Castine Area Relief Fund. According to the post, checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 204 Castine, ME 04421 or you can email carf@castine.me.us to learn more.