04/30/2008
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Staff photo by Andy Molloyfrom the Kennebec Journal
MCCAIN HUNTS MAINERS
High gas costs spur innovations for area sports teams
Enthusiastic fans greet Todd Palin in Palmyra campaign appearance
Student software 'powerful'
'AUTISM 101' WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Skowhegan man hopes bat business will be hit
Turcotte, Raiders pull out tough win
Cony 3rd at states
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
Schools look to cut athletic-transportation costs
Maine now on McCain radar
Economic news not encouraging to job seekers
Todd Palin stumps for GOP ticket at stop in Palmyra
J.P. DEVINE: Another generation watches tables turn
His turn at bat
Skowhegan's Quinn climbs coaching ladder
HIGH SCHOOL GOLF: Deering surprise team champ
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
The Weather Service issued a flood warning at noon Tuesday for the Kennebec River at Augusta and Sidney. "Flood stage" is when the water begins to overflow banks.
Based on the warnings active at midday Tuesday, National Weather Service hydrologist Tom Hawley said vehicles in the waterfront parking lot in downtown Augusta should be moved to a dry location.
"Around 17 feet, it's going to be at the back of those buildings and in their basements," Hawley said. "People need to move their cars."
The Weather Service radar continued to show an area of heavy rain moving through central Maine late Tuesday afternoon. Rainfall of 3 to 5 inches was reported in some locations, including Augusta.
Rain was expected to end late Tuesday night. Today's forecast calls for sunny skies, with temperatures in the mid-50s.
Maine Emergency Management Director Robert McAleer said Tuesday's rainfall would add to streams already running high from melting snow.
"While we are not expecting catastrophic flood conditions, officials will be on alert for local flooding, especially in low-lying areas," McAleer said. "Anyone whose home or business is prone to flooding should be especially vigilant, and prepared for possible problems."
McAleer stressed that the single most important safety tip is to stay informed. He said conditions change rapidly in Maine. The amount of rain in any one area will affect flooding conditions greatly, he said.
"All of us need to be tuned in to the latest weather information and pay close attention to local conditions over the next few days," he said.
Hallowell Police Chief Eric Nason said downtown businesses were notified Tuesday and pamphlets placed on windshields of cars parked along Front Street.
He said the biggest concern is when the rising water enters into buildings.
"Usually anything over 16 feet, we start to have a problem with a few of the businesses, which means obviously we're going to have to block off Front Street until the river recedes," Nason said Tuesday.
On top of the amount of rain that falls in this area, he said any rainfall in the north also affects flooding in Hallowell.
"What we're seeing northeast of us affects us more than the rain we get locally," he said. "If they get a ton of rain up there in Skowhegan, it causes problems for us."
Hawley said the rate of water flow at Skowhegan was 35,000 cubic feet per second Tuesday, and expected to peak there at 65,000 cubic feet per second this morning around 8 a.m.
In Aroostook County, Gov. John Baldacci declared a state of emergency Tuesday night. Lingering snow and severe rainstorms combined to create "dangerous flooding conditions," according to a statement from Baldacci's office.
Business owners in Hallowell weren't taking any chances. Some started emptying out their buildings Monday evening.
David Bustin had everything moved out of his pub, The Kennebec Wharf, on Tuesday. He said 6 feet above flood stage puts water inside his business.
"It could go higher depending on the rain, so we took everything out and will be closed for a while," Bustin said. "It isn't much fun, but we've got it down to a science. It's not like it's baffling."
Bustin said he's not in a hurry to reopen. Three years ago, he cleaned out his bar and moved everything back in after the first flood of the season.
Then, there were two more floods. This time around, he plans to watch the weather reports closely.
"We're not going to be in a hurry to move back in," he said. "We'll take this opportunity to do some spring cleaning."
A block up from Water Street, the basement of Chris Osgood's Second Street home in Hallowell was flooding. In the afternoon, he said, the water rose above his knees.
Hallowell police told Osgood he might qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to reimburse him for the damage caused.
The flooding -- which also happened last spring, Osgood said -- was the result of an overflowing brook behind his house. It normally flows down a hill and through a culvert under his neighbor's driveway, Osgood said.
When he moved into his home in 1999, Osgood said, he did not think his property would be affected by flooding so many times.
"Now I'm realizing that I am in a flood zone," Osgood said as he and a friend worked to pump the water out of the basement. "I'd like to see somebody do something about this brook."
Staff writer Matthew Stone contributed to this report.
Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408
mcooper@centralmaine.com
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