Lighthouses are threatened like never before due to the increasing intensity and frequency of storms, strong winds, inundating storm surge / flooding, rising sea levels and erosion. Nowhere is this more evident in the United States than along the Maine and New Hampshire coastlines.
According to the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, “The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than almost any other ocean surface on the planet. “The warming is four times faster than the average rate of heating across all the world’s oceans.” The Institute goes on to note, “As the Gulf of Maine continues to warm, sea levels will rise due to thermal expansion. This will lead to more flooding events in coastal areas, especially when combined with higher tides and stronger storm surges — all as a result of climate change.”
Our nation, as well as the rest of the world, witnessed firsthand this warning become a reality in January 2024 when two powerful storms – arriving just three days apart, struck northern New England with near unprecedented fury and daunting storm surge levels. These winter storms coincided with the highest tide ever recorded in Portland, Maine, at 14.75-feet.
The degree of damage was widespread up and down the coastlines of Maine and New Hampshire. A heavy toll was exacted upon lighthouse sites – most of which continue to serve maritime interests in vital fashion as active aids to navigation. In all, approximately one-third of Maine’s 66 historic lighthouse sites suffered damage.
Lighthouses, which were deliberately constructed in harm’s way, are now on the frontlines of our changing climate. There is no place for them to hide – and time is not on their side. Without prompt and meaningful action to mitigate the dangers posed by severe storms – along with efforts to make historic lighthouses and their supporting light station structures more resilient, these treasures will continue to suffer injury. A number of lighthouses will not survive unless resources and innovative solutions are brought to bear very soon.
To this end, the nonprofit American Lighthouse Foundation has stepped up to lead the way for lighthouses throughout Maine and beyond. The organization is committed to forging an effective and sustainable storm response by collaborating with policymakers, as well as public and private stakeholders, to identify actionable solutions / adaption strategies for climate resilience, specifically tailored for lighthouses. And not just for historic lighthouses and their ancillary structures, but for the public access points (piers, docks, boat ramps, etc.) at light stations as well.
The American Lighthouse Foundation’s efforts to make lighthouses more resilient is being boosted by the World Monuments Fund (WMF), which named Maine’s lighthouses (all 66) to their 2025 Watch List. The 2025 cycle features 25 global historic places facing major challenges, including climate change, tourism, conflict, and natural disaster. Over the next two years, this selection to the WMF Watch List will amplify the threats facing Maine’s lighthouses and will provide solutions through advocacy / awareness initiatives, site-specific case studies and international partnership opportunities.
The American Lighthouse Foundation is acting upon the Maine storm experience and response to help guide lighthouses, across the United States and beyond, toward a more resilient future.
ALF Storm & Mitigation Response Team
The American Lighthouse Foundation formed a Storm & Mitigation Response Team in April 2024, dedicated to developing a series of best practices that can help lighthouses become more resilient in the face of future storms.
Resources…
The American Lighthouse Foundation, through the efforts of its Storm & Mitigation Response Team, is developing a resource of actionable solutions that can provide enhanced protection / resiliency at historic light station structures. The Team is also including best practices that can strengthen a steward’s effectiveness with responding to, and navigating through, the disaster recovery process. Developing Best Practices: Historic Light Station Mitigation & Resiliency Solutions | Working Document: April 2025
