Maine Flood of 1987

A pair of spring storms occurring in March and April 1987 combined with snow-melt to produce record or major flooding in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.

Maine had a normal snowpack, and normal flood potential in late March of 1987. However, a warm rainstorm brought 4 to 6 inches of rain to the mountains of Maine and New Hampshire, which combined with 6 or more inches of melted snow. The water ran over frozen ground, and streams and rivers began to rise. Flooding became disastrous on April 1, 1987 on Maine’s major rivers.

Despite advances in mitigation and preparedness, there are always opportunities for improvement. A study by the University of Maine Land and Water Resources Center in 1987 noted that floods become disasters by virtue of the placement of people and property in their way. Contributing factors to flood damage cited in the report remain important to consider today:

-Urban development including buildings and parking lots can increase and pollute stormwater runoff; -Development in the floodplain is at risk not only from flood water but from contamination and debris; -Lack of preparation and awareness by property owners in the floodplain increases vulnerability dramatically; -Shortcomings in warnings and the failure of people to take warnings seriously may result in life-threatening situations and additional property loss.

File:Http://www.michaeldupuis.com/BigFishSmallPond/uploaded images/205700-24881f-725951.jpg

Picture taken of the Kennebec River during the flood around end or march.

Property effected:

• 2,100 homes flooded; 215 destroyed, 240 with major damage
• 400 small businesses impacted
• Countless roads and bridges destroyed or damaged
• Fort Halifax (Maine) historic site in Winslow, Maine washed away
• Losses estimated at over $100 million ($171 million in 2007 dollars)

References