Which parts of Southwest Harbor are most at risk from coastal flooding?

Flooding already reached Seawall Road and Manset during back-to-back storms in January 2024, and the Southwest Harbor Climate Vulnerability Assessment projects that the frequency of such flooding will increase.

How hot will Southwest Harbor get by mid-century?

Days above 90 degrees Fahrenheit could rise from fewer than 2 per year today to roughly 13 per year, nearly two weeks, by mid-century.

How fast is the Gulf of Maine warming?

Gulf of Maine waters are warming about 3.5 times faster than the global ocean average, which threatens lobster populations and Southwest Harbor's working waterfront.

Who produced the Southwest Harbor Climate Vulnerability Assessment?

It was developed by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute with support from A Climate to Thrive, and funded by a Community Action Grant from Maine's Community Resilience Partnership.

Is Southwest Harbor at risk of wildfire?

Yes. Abundant forest fuels near Acadia National Park combined with densely clustered homes downtown create conditions for significant damage if a fire occurs.

Town of Southwest Harbor, Maine

Our climate is changing. So is our coastline, our waterfront, and our daily life.

The Southwest Harbor Climate Vulnerability Assessment uses local data and scientific projections to show how climate hazards will affect our town in the years ahead.

Read the Full Assessment

Developed by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute with support from A Climate to Thrive, this assessment was funded by a Community Action Grant from Maine's Community Resilience Partnership. It is the foundation for a community resilience plan now being developed — and your input helps shape what comes next.

Key Findings

Here is what the assessment found

Rising Seas & Coastal Flooding

Flooding already reached Seawall Road and Manset during back-to-back storms in January 2024 — and the frequency will increase.

Extreme Heat Days

1.5 → 13 days/yearDays above 90°F could jump from fewer than 2 per year to nearly two weeks by mid-century.

Tick-Borne Disease

617 per 100,000Hancock County Lyme disease rates have soared from 13 per 100,000 in 2001 to over 600 today.

Gulf of Maine Warming

3.5x fasterGulf of Maine waters are warming 3.5 times faster than the global ocean, threatening lobster and the working waterfront.

Drinking Water & Saltwater Intrusion

Rising seas and drought can push saltwater into freshwater aquifers, threatening households reliant on private wells.

Wildfire Risk

Abundant forest fuels near Acadia National Park and densely clustered homes downtown create conditions for significant damage if a fire occurs.

Why This Matters

This report matters for every resident, business owner, and visitor

It is the foundation for the community resilience plan now being developed — and your perspective helps shape what comes next.

Year-round residents — Understand risks to your property, roads, and services. Advocate for the infrastructure upgrades that matter most.
Seasonal homeowners — Learn how coastal flooding and extreme weather could affect your property and the community you return to each year.
Business owners & fishermen — See how ocean warming, species shifts, and infrastructure risks could reshape the local economy and working waterfront.
Visitors & tourists — Get essential context on emergency preparedness, evacuation routes, and the environmental conditions that make Southwest Harbor the place you love.