Three days after back-to-back storms that pummeled Maine’s coast in January, Maine Seacoast Mission welcomed Island Institute to join them aboard the Sunbeam to get a firsthand look at storm damage, connect with island residents and businesses, and lend a hand with clean-up efforts. On the morning of January 16, I was warmly greeted by the Mission’s President John Zavodny, along with Douglas Cornman, Director of Island Services; Kierie Piccininni, Director of Marketing; Simone Babineaux, Sunbeam Nurse; and Margaret Snell, Island Services Program Coordinator (and former Island Institute Fellow!). The Sunbeam was navigated by Captain Mike Johnson and Engineer Story King.
Our first stop was Great Cranberry Island. The Mission team set out a placard letting folks know the Sunbeam, which serves as a floating café and clinic, was open for visitors. We set out to clean up debris from the town dock and beaches, observing significant erosion along the shoreline. Business owners were shoveling sand and silt, removing debris and repairing equipment and structures damaged by the storm surge. Several shared concerns about the new pattern of storms blowing in from the southeast, which they’ve observed as more severe and damaging than the “Nor’easter” storms to which Maine is accustomed.
Back on the Sunbeam, over a delicious lunch of chili – one of many exceptional meals on our journey – we listened as Great Cranberry residents described a storm surge unlike any they could recall. They shared the story of the post office remaining open even as water began seeping into the small lobby, a testament to the hardiness of Maine islanders. Many also expressed concern for other communities, asking what we had seen and heard from other islands.
After a stopover on Isle au Haut for the night, we arrived on Matinicus the next morning to the sight of a severely storm-surge damaged building near the wharf. John, Douglas, Kierie, and I trekked through the flake yard to Old Cove to pick up trash and debris that the storms carried in. While a dusting of snow made it difficult to clearly see the storm’s impacts, debris was apparent throughout the Matinicus flake yard. During our brief stay, planned around the tides, we also connected with island residents who repeated their concern for other communities hit hard by the storm.
Mike and Story delivered us safely back to Isle au Haut to rock through a windy night docked at the ferry wharf. Over ourmorning coffee and tea, we chatted with the crew from Isle au Haut Boat Services. Their Stonington wharf sustained structural damage from the storm surge, which will likely create logistical problems and parking challenges for passengers in the upcoming season.
Fortified with a hearty breakfast, John, Douglas, Kierie, Simone and I set out for Head Harbor where we spent the morning cleaning debris, much of which came from a shed that was pulled into the harbor by storm surge. We were greeted warmly by residents in Head Harbor who joined us on the clean-up and invited us into their homes to warm up and rest. They shared stories of the storm surge rising up lawns and eating away shoreline, reducing the buffer between homes and the sea. And they too expressed concern about how their island and coastal neighbors fared the storms.
In the immediate aftermath of the storms, we were witness to the incredible work ethic and perseverance of islanders, and the compassion and care they showed for each other. As the Sunbeam headed back to Northeast Harbor, we reflected on the importance of the partnership between our organizations and with island communities. Working together is the best way to navigate the sea change ahead. Three days together on the Sunbeam was a special part of that journey.
