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Strong storms cause minor flooding, damage in Maine


In Maine, there have been downpours all day, as well as thunder and lightning. (WGME)
In Maine, there have been downpours all day, as well as thunder and lightning. (WGME)
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KITTERY (WGME) – Severe storms are popping up all over New England, with one even triggering a tornado warning, just over the New Hampshire border.

In Maine, there have been downpours all day, as well as thunder and lightning.

There's also been some minor flooding near the waterfront in Portland, and damage in other parts of Maine.

The fire alarm system at a Midcoast church is being fixed right now, after a lightning strike.

Firefighters responded to the Elijah Kellogg Congregational Church on Harpswell Neck Road in Harpswell around 2 p.m. Wednesday.

A clerk at the church, which dates back to 1843, says she was sitting in her office when the lightning hit.

Alarms went off, and there was an electrical burning smell.

Firefighters say they found one damaged fire alarm unit, but couldn't find any charring.

They say, because of that, they don't think the actual building was hit, but the lightning strike was close.

Neighbors, who live right by the church described what they saw and heard to CBS 13.

"There was a very loud noise and I saw a flash of light in the kitchen, which was odd because the house didn't get it, it was the church, and it was just very loud, I jumped very high, the cat jumped about six feet, yes the cat jumped six feet," Harpswell resident Be Rabiii said.

"I've never heard anything so loud before,” Harpswell resident Janis Thompson said. “Since then, I've had this ringing in my ear."

The clerk at the church says in addition to that alarm, the water system needs some repairs as well.

CBS 13 crews have noticed pooling water on the highway in the Kittery area as well.

Drivers are advised to use caution if they decide to travel in the storms.

For a look at the live radar, click here.

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