Flash flooding as the result of thunderstorms that brought heavy rain resulted in washouts in a number of locations in northern Maine on Thursday.
At least two roads in Lincoln experienced dangerous washouts that prevented travel Thursday morning, according to the Lincoln public works crew. Drivers were warned of flash flooding on both Sweet Road and Frost Street in north Lincoln, according to a Facebook post made by the town.
Significant damage was also seen on Main Street. According to Lincoln Public Works Director Dennis Bullen, there were an “untold number of washouts” and town roads suffered extensive damage on Thursday.
The town has deployed two work crews across the area, and they will be working overtime to ensure the road damage is contained and doesn’t worsen.
A section of West Broadway, which is also Route 2, was reduced to one lane earlier Thursday morning due to water across the roadway. An ATV trail access location on Penobscot Valley Avenue was rendered completely impassable.
As of 12:30 p.m., all roads throughout the town were safely passable Bullen said. He urged drivers to be aware of cones and other markers showing areas where water has pooled.
Cars drive on West Broadway in Lincoln, Maine, where traffic was reduced to one lane on Thursday morning due to water in the roadway. Credit: Courtesy of the Town of Lincoln
Water rushes across a section of Frost Street in Lincoln, Maine, after flash flooding on Thursday, July 11, 2024. Credit: Courtesy of the Town of Lincoln
Cars drive by Ballard Hill on Main Street in Lincoln, where a section of earth was washed away after torrential rains on Wednesday, July 10, and Thursday July 11, 2024. Credit: Leela Stockley / BDN
A deluge of water completely washed out the entrance to an ATV trail located on Penobscot Valley Avenue in Lincoln, Maine, on Thursday, July 11, 2024. Credit: Leela Stockley / BDN
A video captured by Flippin Fun Dance Studio, located on Sweet Road, showed a heavy flow of flood water rushing across the road, creating potential sinkhole conditions. The business canceled its services for the day due to the road conditions.
As of 8:30 a.m., a local weather observation showed that the nearby town of Chester received around 4 inches of rainfall since 6 p.m. Wednesday night.