Coastal flood of February 7, 1978, in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire

On February 6-8, 1978, New England was battered by one of the most severe winter storms of record. The storm produced record snowfall in many areas of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Spring high tides (sun and moon in such alinement as to cause the highest tides of the month), a stationary storm center, and hurricane force winds combined to produce record high flood levels along much of the Massachusetts to Maine coastline on February 7. Tidal gages recorded new highs of 10.4 feet in Boston, Massachusetts, and 9.6 feet in Portland, Maine. Fifty-four lives were lost because of the storm. Property damage was greatest along the Massachusetts coastline north of Cape Cod. The total cost of the storm--principally property damage, snow removal, and economic losses--approached $1 billion. This report contains data which document the flooding along parts of the New England coast. Elevations of 203 floodmarks in Massachusetts, 104 in Maine, and 46 in New Hampshire are given. Also included are some historical coastal flood data and a list of other storm-related studies. (Woodard-USGS)