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Flash flood damage in Downeast Maine will take at least another day to repair

The Maine Emergency Management Agency is working with its partners to address flash flooding and washouts in Hancock and Washington counties

ROQUE BLUFFS, Maine — Flash flood warnings were issued Wednesday morning for parts of Downeast Maine. According to NEWS CENTER Maine meteorologist Ryan Breton, between three and five inches of rain fell from Bar Harbor to Machias. 

Flooding was reported in the Machias area.  Yui Wiser shared this video of the raging water in Roque Bluffs using our Near ME tool on the NEWS CENTER Maine app. 

The Maine Forest Service has placed one of its helicopters at its office in Jonesboro in case someone who is cut off in the affected areas needs to get out for a medical emergency.

Acadia National Park tweeted that a section of carriage road in the park may be closed for up to two months due to flood damage, saying, "All culverts and drainages are overwhelmed. Three layers of road were removed at multiple locations."

According to the park's social media, "There is no access to the Schoodic Pennisula due to extensive road damage in the area from a heavy thunderstorm. Rangers are monitoring the progress of repairs and access, particularly for visitors staying at Schoodic Woods Campground."

Rangers are assessing the damage to Wild Gardens of Acadia and a section of carriage road from Aunt Betty Loop to Parkman between intersections 11 and 13. They encourage hikers to be careful on the trails since there may be damage they are unaware of.

Further closures are taking effect due a severe thunderstorm overnight -- Wild Gardens of Acadia; and a section of...

Posted by Acadia National Park on Wednesday, June 9, 2021

The Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) said they are in "constant communication" with their partners in Hancock and Washington counties, including the County EMAs, Maine Department of Transportation, Maine Forest Service, National Guard, US Coast Guard, Maine Marine Patrol, and local fire and police departments.

"MEMA and its partners established air support for Roque Bluffs through Lifeflight and notified the National Guard in the event a person experienced a medical emergency that required transport," MEMA Director Peter Rogers said in a release Wednesday afternoon. "We're addressing the situation in the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) along with managing ongoing COVID missions."

Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner Bruce A. Van Note said in a release that crews worked to reconnect Roque Bluffs by midday, but there's still a lot of work ahead as they continue to repair damaged roadways and upsize the culvert that was overwhelmed by the flooding. 

"I'm proud of our crews and their dedication to the residents in the area," Van Note said. 

MEMA posted this warning about water on the roads.

Please be safe and alert if you're driving around today. Be sure to watch out for water of an unknown depths. It only...

Posted by Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) on Wednesday, June 9, 2021

MEMA reminds drivers to "turn around, don't drown" if they come across flooded roads. 

Home or property damage can be reported by calling 211. 

    

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