In the aftermath of Saco’s storm, coastal communities like Saco, Biddeford and Old Orchard Beach are beginning to assess damages.

A short distance north of York County on Saturday, the Maine Weather Service reported a record high tide of 14.7 feet in Portland, breaking the previous record of 14.17 set in 1978.

The mix of astronomically high tides, heavy winds and rain wreaked havoc along the Maine coast, including the Camp Ellis of Saco, an area particularly as a nearby jetty has contributed to severe coastal erosion over the years.

“With our naked shoreline, combined with the negative effects of the jetty, this latest storm created damage I have personally not seen in my lifetime in Saco,” said Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail in a written statement on Saturday. “Our hearts go out to residents, homeowners and business owners of Camp Ellis. While we have lost roads and possibly homes, there was thankfully no loss of life.”

In Old Orchard Beach, the fire department reported on Saturday that it had gone on about 25 service calls. Most of the calls were for propane tank or electrical issues, and most were in Ocean Park, a community in the southern part of town that is bordered by the ocean as well as Goosefare Brook. York County Emergency Management was on site using drones to locate damaged areas. The Ocean Park Association posted a photo on Facebook of Old Orchard Beach firefighters traveling down the streets of Ocean Park in a boat to check on residents.

 

This photo taken by an Ocean Park Association member on Saturday shows Old Orchard Beach firefighters traveling flooded streets by boat to check up on residents.

Some streets in Old Orchard Beach remained closed on Sunday.

“We have assisted double-digits worth of motorists who attempted to drive through flooded areas and became stranded. Many of those bypassed clearly marked road closures,” said the Old Orchard Beach Fire Department in a statement on Sunday.

In Biddeford, Fortunes Rocks Road from Maddox Pond Road to Elizabeth Road and Ocean Avenue from Seventh Street to Bay Avenue remain closed until further notice due to storm damage.

Biddeford Code Enforcement Officer Roby Fecteau said in a memo to city officials that emergency preventative measures made by the city’s department of public works last week saved a lot more roads from damage.

Fecteau said in the Sunday afternoon memo that as of that time six homes with significant storm damage had been deemed unsafe by the code enforcement office. The Biddeford Pool bathhouse had sustained significant damage as well, he said.

Megan Arsenault, deputy director of the York County Emergency Management Agency said her agency is working with local municipalities to assess damage. Once more solid numbers are determined, data will be sent to FEMA with the hope of getting funding from FEMA’s Public Assistance Program to help restore public infrastructure.

Homeowners who have damages not covered by insurance can complete a Maine Emergency Management damage assessment form, along with photos of damage. If money becomes available, homeowners may qualify for disaster relief funding from FEMA.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.

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