DANFORTH, Maine — An intense storm, including an official report of a tornado touching down, caused widespread damage through parts of northern Washington County July 17.
Greg Mailman, first selectman for Danforth, said Friday he had never witnessed a storm the likes of the one that came through the area shortly after 6 p.m. and lasting until about 10 p.m.
“It had to be a tornado-grade storm,” Mailman said. “It was just like watching news footage of hurricanes along the coast. The trees here were bowed right over so that they were touching the ground. Many of them were uprooted.”
Theriault said the Danforth Fire Department did “a magnificent job” clearing trees from roads in the area. Routes 1 and 169 were among the main arteries blocked by fallen trees.
“They were out pretty much all night cutting away the brush to get the roads open and make sure people were safe,” Mailman said.
Danforth Town Manager Debbie Theriault said there were numerous downed trees and power lines, with many of the lakefront properties bearing the brunt of the storm.
On Thursday, the National Weather Service of Caribou inspected the damage. According to Noelle Runyan, warning coordinator meteorologist for the National Weather Service, although the storm did not resemble a tornado because the damage was scattered, a twister did indeed touch down in the area.
“The damage was all over,” she said. “Tree damage started north of Danforth in the Weston area. There was no distinct path. There were quite a few trees down, but there wasn’t a cluster of trees.”
The tornado touched down at about 6:48 p.m. with estimated maximum winds at 70 miles per hour in a path of 50 yards wide and 150 yards long. No injuries were noted.
The Gillis Fuel storage garage on Central Street was destroyed, as was the River House Garage on Maple Street.
“I live on the Bancroft Road and we could hear the crash when the garage on the River House collapsed into the water,” said resident Carrie Oliver.
The shoulders of several roads also suffered washout damage from the powerful rain that fell in the area.
