It’s not easy to think about the sad parts of a state’s past, but it’s the hard parts that forge who we are today. Maine didn’t become the strong, special place it is without overcoming some challenges, and it’s important to pay homage to the people who witnessed and survived these trying times. Without glorifying them, here are some of the worst disasters our state has had to face; these are seven natural disasters in Maine nobody will ever forget:

1. The December Nor'easter (1960)
kylee-anne / Flickr
This epic storm hit along the east coast from Virginia to Maine. While the snow was heavy, the most dangerous element was the strong wind, measured at over 90 mph along the coast of New England. The cold air was also life threatening. In Maine, the Turnpike was closed due to "marooned" vehicles.
2. The Saint John River Flood (2008)
Number Six (bill lapp) / WIkimedia Commons
This 2008 flood was the worst of the Saint John River in 35 years. While many people might think of Canada in relation to this flood, it seriously damaged many areas in Northern Maine.
3. The Ice Storm of 1998
the_family_farm / Flickr
This huge storm hit the state in 1998, knocking out power for half of Maine. Power remained out for over two weeks in January and the damage was estimated to cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Mobilization of the Maine National Guard was necessary and it is still considered one of the worst natural disasters in Maine's history.

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4. The Portland Gale (1898)
Unknown / Wikimedia Commons
While this storm didn't ravage the state of Maine, it certainly impacted the state. The storm began as a result of two low pressure areas merging off the coast of Virginia. The weather moved up the coast, causing a storm surge of about ten feet in some places. Despite the fact that the storm didn't devastate Maine, it was named after the ship that was lost at sea as result. On November 26, 1898, the SS Portland left Boston, headed for Maine. All 192 passengers and crew were killed in the storm.
5. The Great Fires of 1947
elizabeth_donoghue / Flickr
This series of forest fires, which burned more than 17,188 acres of land across York County and Mount Desert Island, were a result of drought conditions in July of 1947. Small fires in Portland, Bowdoin and Wells were reported to the Forest Service on October 7. Soon more fires were reported and by October 16, there were 20 separate fires burning in Maine.
6. The Great Fire of Portland (1866)
Joseph E. Baker (1837–1914), artist and lithographer; published by Bufford Brothers, Boston & New York / Wikimedia Commons
The July 4th first in Portland began in a boat house on Commercial Street. It was probably caused by a firecracker or other merriment related spark. After burning on Commercial Street, the blaze spread to a lumber yard and then to a sugar house. Soon, it had spread across the city. It ultimately burned away on Munjoy Hill, but not before making 10,000 people homeless and burning 1,800 buildings. Thankfully, only two people were killed in the fire.
7. The February Nor'easter (1969)
Unknown / Wikimedia Commons
The disastrous part of this storm was how underestimated it was. Originally predicted to be only a chance of snow, the storm dumped the heaviest snowfall amounts in Maine. The Bangor areas saw more than 42 inches of snow and Lewiston received over 32 inches.

Let’s end this on a happy note, shall we? Here are some wonderful reasons to love living in Maine.

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Natural Disasters in Maine

Tori Jane | May 21, 2022

What are the worst Maine disasters in history? 

Maine is a lovely place to live or visit, but unfortunately, it’s not immune to the occasional disaster, be it natural or caused by humans. Over the centuries, there have been several disasters in Maine; one of the most notorious disasters in Maine history was the hurricanes of 1954. Hurricanes up this way are rare, but when they happen, they can be devastating. In this case, two rare Maine hurricanes – named Carol and Edna – struck the state one month after the other. 11 died, and damages exceeded 17 million dollars. Another notorious Maine disaster was the ice storm of January 1988, in which up to three inches of ice coated everything there was to cover. At least four people died, and damages were estimated at 320 million dollars.  

What kind of natural disasters is Maine prone to?  

Disasters of any kind in Maine are relatively uncommon, but they do occur. Some natural disasters Maine can be subject to include blizzards, ice storms, floods, and the (very) occasional hurricane. Sometimes landslides can also occur with heavy rain events, and some years, when it’s dry, wildfires can occur. Overall, though, the likelihood of experiencing a natural disaster in Maine is slim, even if you spend your whole life here.  

What are the most record-setting Maine snowstorms on record?  

There are some snowstorms in Maine that made history, and others were record setters. For example, in 2013, winter storm Nemo unleashed up to three feet of snow in some parts of the state. Gorham saw the most, with an impressive 35 and a half inches of snow! Another record-setting snowstorm in Maine was the blizzard of 1978, which dropped 15 to 24 inches of snow in the southern region of the state, and in 1993, Maine was subjected to the infamous “Storm of the Century”, causing 5.5 billion in damages across the country.  

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