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Hurricane Kyle Aiming For Maine

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The Associated Press

Published: September 28, 2008

EASTPORT, Maine - A rare tropical storm warning and hurricane watch were posted for parts of the Maine coast on Saturday as Hurricane Kyle roared toward the region, threatening conditions similar to a New England nor'easter.

Authorities expect Maine to see the worst late today or early Monday, with wind gusts as high as 60 mph and waves of 15 to 20 feet, said Robert McAleer, Maine Emergency Management Agency director.

Authorities have advised Mainers living on coastal islands to evacuate if they depend on electricity for medical reasons, because ferry service will probably shut down today, McAleer said. Significant power failures on the north coastal region of the state were also expected, he said.

It was Maine's first hurricane watch in 17 years, the National Weather Service said, though a hurricane warning was posted for Nantucket Island off the coast of Massachusetts in September 1996, according to the weather service office in Taunton, Mass.

Two to 4 inches of rain had already fallen along some coastal areas by midday Saturday, and the storm was expected to deliver an additional 2 to 4 inches.

The storm became a Category 1 hurricane Saturday afternoon.

It was expected to strengthen slightly before weakening closer to Maine.

The Weather Service also issued flood watches for the southern two-thirds of New Hampshire and southern Maine through tonight.

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