ROCKLAND — Rockland Fire Department came to the assistance of a man at a Harbor Park restaurant who found himself trapped in the structure as flood waters swarmed his exit. The Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, wind and rain storm flooded the Public Landing to a level not seen before by many residents.

By 1 a.m., Jan. 10, the storm was pulling strong gusts to the Midcoast area, increasing the amount of vehicles sliding off the road, and triggering multiple commercial and home security alarms to activate, which required police departments to respond.

By 6:30 a.m., reports were swarming local dispatch centers of trees blocking the road, as well as loose or low hanging wires. Owls Head firefighters cleared several trees from roads along North Shore, South Shore, and Lighthouse roads. Hope FD cleared a couple trees, as did Friendship, Cushing, Warren, Camden and Lincolnville.

At around 9:30 a.m., mutual aid fire departments were called to a house in Owls Head, but were cleared after initial investigation could not find a source of concern. 

By 9:45 a.m., a propane tank once connected to the Dry Dock restaurant, where the man had just evacuated, was seen floating unattached in the water and possibly leaking fuel. Kept an eye on the issue, and when the tide receded enough, the FD allowed the gas company to gain access to the area.