Storm causes flooding in coastal York County

Friday's storm flooded the square in Ocean Park. SBN STAFF/Liz Gotthelf

Liz Gotthelf, Publisher•

OLD ORCHARD BEACH — With high winds and high tides contributing to flooding, several coastal roads are closed this morning.

Caution tape, public safety vehicles and other barriers blocked the Town Square and East Grand and West Grand avenues in downtown, as well as West Grand near the square in Ocean Park, about an hour after the 10:16 a.m. hightide peak.

Water spilled over to the sidewalks at the corner of Old Orchard Street and West Grand Avenue and a swath of the road in downtown was covered in sea foam.

The Old Orchard Beach Police Department posted a safety warning on Facebook.

“The majority of our downtown is currently experiencing severe flooding and several roads are closed for your safety. Please do not remove or drive around barricades,” said police. “We want to remind everyone that these tidal currents are extremely dangerous, and you should not drive or walk through flooded areas.”

Police also told residents that they did not recommend surfing at this time.

In Saco, the city preemptively closed Main and North Avenues in Camp Ellis on Thursday in anticipation of the storm.

“If you come across a flooded roadway, don’t drive through floodwater; it can be deeper than you think,” said Saco Police on Facebook.

At 1:08 p.m., about 33,000 of the Central Maine Power's nearly 127,000 customers in York County were out of power.

Check out Saco Bay News on Facebook and Instagram for video footage of local flooding.

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