One Of The Worst Disasters In U S History Happened Right Here In Maine

The weather in Maine this season has been colder than just about any winter since the 1970s. The past few weeks have seen highs in the single digits, with some areas seeing highs in the negatives! With all this cold and the snow on the ground, Maine can feel like a hard place to live. But, believe it or not, things were worse! Were you living in Vacationland in March of 1969? If so, you might remember this awful nor’easter in Maine.

This powerful nor’easter walloped the Mid-Atlantic and east coast from February 8th to 11th, 1969.

NOAA Central Library Data Imaging Project Why was the storm so bad?

First, a low pressure system moved east from Oklahoma creating heavy rains in the midwest on February 8th. The storm made its way to Kentucky by February 9th.

At the same time, another low pressure system formed over Georgia. As this weather system grew along the east coast, heavy rain began to fall over the Carolinas.

Soon, a wintry mix was battering the Mid-Atlantic States. Next up was the heavy snow, which fell from New Jersey and went north by mid-day on February 9th.

The storm didn’t leave the area until mid-day on February 11th.

In the news, much of the focus was on New York City, but it was truly New England that bore the brunt of the disaster.

gregor_y / Flickr

Not because we got more snow, although at around 42 inches in Bangor, we DID get the most snow.

gsfc / Flickr

But the worst part of this unforgettable storm was that the predictions were so incorrect.

cayusa / Flickr

In most cases, weather reports called for only a “chance of snow.”

life_of_gillman / Flickr

The reality of what an incorrect weather report can do hit both Bangor and Lewiston. The communities were not prepared for the nearly 50 inches that fell for over 72 hours.

Unknown - wea00957, Historic NWS Collection, Public Domain

Despite hard winters and heavy snowfall in the last few years, the Nor’easter of 1969 has gone down in history as one of the worst in Maine.

harquail / Flickr

A few weeks ago we told you about the ice storm that ravaged Maine in 1998. To read about it, click here.

NOAA Central Library Data Imaging Project

Why was the storm so bad?