Saco, Biddeford and Old Orchard Beach announce road closures for Saturday
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Areas of Ocean Park were flooded Wednesday. Flooding is expected to occur again on Saturday. PHOTO BY LIZ GOTTHELF
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With more severe weather expected Friday night and Saturday, local municipalities have announced road closures for Saturday.
The National Weather Service is forecasting exceptionally high tides, and Saturday’s noon high tide is expected to be nearly one foot higher than the high tide on Wednesday after storm activity. This, along with a potential three feet of storm surge and water inundation, could pose a significant risk of coastal flooding on Saturday.
Old Orchard Beach
Road closures in Old Orchard Beach will be implemented starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday along the immediate coast, said town officials in a press release. East Grand and West Grand avenues, and all areas of Ocean Park will be restricted to local traffic. Old Orchard Street will be completely restricted to traffic from the Town Square to First Street and will be restricted to local traffic from First Street to Saco Avenue. Additional road closures will occur as high tide approaches and may last for several hours, said town officials.
Saco
The City of Saco announced travel restrictions in coastal areas, which city officials say are still recovering from flooding earlier this week.
Beginning 9 a.m. on Saturday, Seaside Avenue from the Old Orchard Beach town line to Ferry Road, Ferry Road from Bayview Road to Seaside Avenue, and all side roads in these areas including Bayview Road and the Camp Ellis neighborhood, will be restricted to local traffic until further notice.
Biddeford
In Biddeford, city will be closing all streets leading down to coastal areas beginning at 9 a.m. These road closures will be located at Hills Beach at Breakwater, Bridge Road at the intersection of Old Pool Road, Maddox Pond Road at Pool Street, Elizabeth Road at Pool Street, Fortunes Rocks Road at Pool Street, and Granite Point Road at Pool Road.
Biddeford city officials are asking coastal residents who wish to leave their home on Saturday to do so before 9 a.m. and to not return until 3 p.m.
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Portions of Fortunes Rocks Road were damaged due to the storm earlier this week and city officials said the section between Elizabeth Road and Maddox Pond Road will remain closed for repairs until further notice.
Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.
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