Freeport Straight Line Wind Damage August 12th, 2016

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PNSGYX
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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Gray ME
1003 AM EDT MON AUG 15 2016

...Straight Line Wind Damage Confirmed Near Freeport in
Cumberland County Maine...

Location...Freeport in Cumberland County Maine
Date...August 12 2016
Estimated Time...255 PM EDT
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...85 MPH
Lat/Lon...43.81N/70.12W

* The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
  change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS
  Storm Data.

...Summary...
The National Weather Service in Gray ME has confirmed that
thunderstorm wind damage that occurred near Freeport in Cumberland
County Maine during the afternoon of Friday August 12 2016 was
caused by straight line wind.

This wind damage was part of a larger cluster of southeastward
moving thunderstorms that produced strong winds beginning in the
Sebago Lake region of Maine. As it neared the coast, winds became
stronger, with trees reported down in Gray, Yarmouth, Falmouth,
Freeport, Bath, and Harpswell.

A concentrated area of damage was observed along Spar Cove Road
in Freeport. The most intense damage occurred on the north side
of Staples Point, adjacent to Spar Cove. Here dozens of large
hardwood trees were either snapped or uprooted, with dozens more
softwood trees uprooted or with large limbs down. Falling trees
landed on one home, damaging the roof and deck. The resident
reported what looked like a wall of rain and wind before taking
shelter in an interior bathroom. It likely that Spar Cove and the
topography of Staples Point played a role in accelerating the wind
through this area. Damage fanned out from this location, before
becoming more scattered on the south side of Staples Point. Based
on the damage to the trees, maximum wind gusts are estimated to
have been 80 to 90 mph.

Severe thunderstorms can, and often do, produce widespread areas
of strong winds in addition to other threats like hail, lightning,
and heavy rain. Occasionally, particularly intense winds in a
severe thunderstorm can cause damage similar to a tornado. Before
severe weather strikes have a safety plan in place. When a warning
is issued, get to a substantial shelter and avoid windows. If
caught outside, move inside to an enclosed shelter or a hard top
vehicle. If on the water, head to port or safe shelter as quickly
as possible.

This information can also be found on our website at
weather.gov/gyx.

For reference...
Straight-line winds are generally any wind that is not associated
with rotation...used mainly to differentiate them from tornadic
winds.

$$

Legro

Damage Photos