Video Shows Flash Flooding Smash Maine Coast as Winter Storm Rages

Videos circulating on social media Friday showed flash floods, strong winds and rain pummeling the coast of Maine as the country contends with heavy winter storms and severe cold.

In one video shared to Twitter by Wayne Mahar, president of the Precision Weather Service, waves could be seen sweeping against the rocky coast near the Portland Head Light lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

In another video shared by the Wells Police Department's Twitter account, strong waves can be seen crashing onto a road next to the Maine coast, sending water gushing down local streets. In its tweet, the department advised locals to avoid the coastal roads.

Large swaths of the country are currently facing deadly cold temperatures and winter storms ahead of the holiday weekend, impacting travel plans and spurring the governors of some states to declare states of emergencies. Weather experts have said Winter Storm Elliott, the moniker given to the storm, may even potentially develop into a "bomb cyclone," with blizzard conditions possible in the Midwest and Great Lakes region.

In the northeastern United States, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a high wind warning for all of Maine, including a warning for hurricane force winds for the coast and islands, Bangor Daily News reported Friday. Flood watches were also put in place from the coast to deep inland.

Maine Governor Janet Mills and the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) issued a warning to residents on Thursday urging them to prepare for the rain, high winds, coastal flooding and freezing temperatures the storm could bring. A release posted on MEMA's website said that widespread power outages were likely and that temperatures would drop Friday night into Saturday morning, creating unsafe driving conditions due to flash freezing on roads.

"Please take every precaution to protect yourself, exercise caution when traveling, and check on your family, friends, and neighbors," Mills said in a statement. "We want to ensure that all Maine people stay safe during this holiday weekend."

MEMA Director Peter Rogers also said that residents should be prepared "for the possibility of a multi-day response."

Power outages already appear to have hit the state hard, with PowerOutage.us reporting 114,537 customers out as of just before 1 p.m. ET on Friday.

MEMA said in the release on Thursday that it was coordinating with utility companies, country emergency management agencies and state partners for the response to the storm. It warned that civilians should never touch downed power lines or a tree in contact with one, instead urging them to report downed lines to utility companies.

When it comes to potential flooding or flash flooding, recommendations shared with Newsweek by MEMA advise people to find out if local streams or rivers flood easily, and if their property and ability to evacuate when necessary would be impacted. Important documents and valuables should be kept in safe places that will make them less likely to be damaged in a flood. Civilians should also take pictures of important documents on their phone and keep copies on flash-drives that they can carry with them.

There is a difference between warnings and watches when it comes to floods and flash floods. A watch is when flooding may occur, while a warning is when there is already flooding or there may soon be flooding.

If there is a flood or flash flood watch, civilians should make sure to follow instructions from local public safety officials, monitor changing weather conditions, tie down or bring in outdoor objects that can be swept away, consider unplugging electronic equipment before potential flooding and elevate items in basements to prevent damage.

If there is a flood or flash flood warning, civilians are advised to immediately move to or remain on higher ground, evacuate if advised to do so, refrain from walking through flowing water or driving through flooding roads, and make sure not to drive around road barriers.

Update 12/23/22, 4:42 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.