BOOTHBAY HARBOR, Maine — Pier 1 Pizza flooded twice in one week from back-to-back storms. Despite the damage done to businesses, coworkers at the pizza bar made the most of the moment by letting several of their lobsters and Jonah crabs enjoy the seawater.
Korey Lewis, owner of Pier 1 Pizza, said it was a joke, but it ended up bringing a few laughs to people working at the pizza shop and people helping clear out the flooding Saturday.
Much of the Boothbay Marina area was flooded, bringing several feet of water into businesses.
"At the end of the day there isn't much we can do," Lewis said. "It's a waiting game."
Before the flooding got too bad, crewmembers at Pier 1 were making slices and getting ready for the day. Plans changed once the high tide rolled in.
The high tide during the broke records up and down the coastline Saturday, as the storm hit during the highest tide of the month.
The tide level at Portland Harbor reached a high of 14.57 feet, blasting past the old record of 14.17 feet during the Blizzard of 1978. A tide gauge was installed in 1912.
Gov. Janet Mills urged all Mainers to stay home if possible.
"If you must travel, please avoid the Maine coastline and be cautious," Mills said Saturday in a statement. "Never walk through flowing water, drive through flooded areas, or drive around road barriers."
For non-emergency assistance, including information such as where to find warming or charging centers, Mainers can call 211 or text their zip code to 898-211. For emergency assistance, call 911.
Dozens of roads along the coast were submerged in the floodwaters making them impassable, even stranding some neighborhoods. But in Boothbay Harbor, the crustaceans came out to play.