A widespread soaking rain is moving into the region and will
continue through tonight. Warm temperatures will melt snowpack and
increase river flows. Cold air on the backside of the system will
slow runoff on Thursday and end overland flooding, however, river
responses could last through the end of the week.
* WHAT…Flooding caused by heavy rain, snowmelt, and ice jams is
possible.
* WHERE…Portions of Maine, including the following areas,
Androscoggin, Central Interior Cumberland, Central Somerset,
Coastal Cumberland, Coastal Waldo, Coastal York, Interior
Cumberland Highlands, Interior Waldo, Interior York, Kennebec,
Knox, Lincoln, Northern Franklin, Northern Oxford, Sagadahoc,
Southern Franklin, Southern Oxford and Southern Somerset and New
Hampshire, including the following areas, Belknap, Cheshire,
Eastern Hillsborough, Interior Rockingham, Merrimack, Northern
Carroll, Northern Coos, Northern Grafton, Southern Carroll,
Southern Coos, Southern Grafton, Strafford, Sullivan and Western
And Central Hillsborough.
* WHEN…From 1 PM EST this afternoon through Thursday morning.
* IMPACTS…The combination of rain and snowmelt will result in
widespread and potentially significant flooding. The heavy
rainfall rates could trigger flash flood conditions. For northern
streams river ice is expected to move and could result in ice jam
flooding.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– A soaking rain of 2 to 4 inches is possible from through
early Thursday morning. Snowmelt will contribute to the
runoff. Additionally there are concerns of shifting river ice
in the north. Rivers and streams could rise to significant
levels.