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According to the National Weather Service, the recent spate of heavy snowfall is "very unusual." In fact, what some have dubbed "StormZilla" is officially unprecedented. While confirmed figures are not available for Lubec, weather service observations were recorded in several nearby communities. In Eastport, from January 24 through February 3, four "significant storms" deposited 76 inches. In Machias, where records go back to 1893, the total for the same period was 62.1 inches, eclipsing the December 1964 tally of 35.5. According to the weather service, the most recorded in Maine during any previous 10-day period was 71 inches, at the Ripogenus Dam, just west of Mt. Katahdin, in early 1963. The service also points out that coastal regions got the brunt of the recent weather pattern, with comparatively little falling in northern and western regions.
In Lubec, the storm is blamed by some as the cause of two storm‑related deaths. There were many people snow‑bound waiting to be plowed or dug out, a traffic accident that may have been storm‑related, a spate of freeze‑ups, equipment failures linked to round‑the‑clock heavy usage in sub‑zero temperatures and a series of school snow‑days. The storm also delayed repairs to a February 2 water‑main break that left numerous homes without water and flooded County Road near the American Legion Hall.
On February 1, Eugene Greenlaw, owner of Bayside Chocolates, died while clearing snow in what is believed to be a storm-related death, followed on February 2 by the death of resident Lewis Wolfe. Details concerning the two deaths have not been confirmed.
"The Farmer's Almanac said we were supposed to have a lot of snow this winter," says Lubec Town Administrator John Sutherland, "but they didn't say it would come all at once." Sutherland has high praise for the town's public works crew, who worked around the clock to keep the town's roads open. "Normally you'd clean up the roads, then spend the next few days on the maintenance and repairs to get ready for the next one," he says. "This time we couldn't do that." In one instance, a belt was needed that was available in Bangor. "I told them I'd run to get it," he says, telling them to go get some sleep. On his return he found that, rather than getting that sleep, the crew had taken care of a few other issues so that the equipment was ready for the next storm.
Maintenance and repair operations, says Sutherland, were made more difficult by the condition of the town garage, which voters have twice declined replacing. "Instead of bringing the truck inside [and] pressure washing before inspecting it, you're working outside in a snow drift. Of course repairs are more difficult." The plow must be removed before the truck will fit through the door, says Sutherland.
One town plow was out of service for a short time as it had run off the side of South Lubec Road during white‑out conditions when visibility was severely impaired. "We're ready for the next one," says Sutherland, praising the town crew for completing needed work despite single‑digit temperatures.
"If it stops snowing today," says Lubec School Principal Tina Wormell, "the last day of school is June 18." Storms forced five school closures, plus several delayed openings or early dismissals.
During the February 2 storm, the water main serving West Lubec and the western tank developed a leak, forcing the water district to shut off water to 24 services for two days. Repairs were delayed while the local contractor normally hired for the excavation was engaged opening several large drifts so that crews could plow. One section of County Road, located close to the American Legion Hall, was flooded before the water was shut down, and ice remained on the road surface for several days after repairs were completed. The order to boil water was withdrawn on February 6, after testing confirmed the quality.
On February 6, the Maine Department of Marine Resources confirmed the storm's effect by deciding not to consider a possible closure of the scallop season after the first week of February, saying the "foul weather" had prevented "many vessels from being able to participate in the fishery."
Heather Tenan of the Eastland Motel says that several people had sought short‑term shelter at the motel. Some had been sent from the Campobello Whale Watch Motel, which was largely shut down by snow banks that blocked access to rooms.
Sutherland and others have lauded the efforts of community members to pitch in to minimize the effect of the storms. "People checking on people," Sutherland says, "was just part of it." Many community members who own tractors and other equipment suitable for snow removal volunteered their services. |
