Flooding hits York County N.H., Mass. governors declare emergencies

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AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci declared a state of emergency for York County and surrounding communities in southern Maine on Sunday as dozens of roadways were flooded by bands of rain that continued to saturate parts of the state.

“It’s pretty localized, but it’s pretty severe,” Baldacci said in a brief telephone interview.

The governors of New Hampshire and Massachusetts declared states of emergency, activating the National Guard to help communities respond to the storm.

“It’s a very serious situation,” said New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, adding that forecasters were predicting 12 to 15 inches of rain by the end of the storm in parts of southern New Hampshire. “It continues to change and the situation continues to worsen.”

Baldacci’s office said that in southern Maine about 50 homes in the Sanford area and near the New Hampshire border had been evacuated as well as several homes in Kennebunk.

The governor’s emergency declaration could authorize a National Guard activation if needed and would serve as a prerequisite for requesting federal assistance.

“We don’t know how much damage we have until the water goes down,” said Charles Jacobs, assistant to the director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency.

Shelters were set up in Kennebunk, Ogunquit and Sanford.

A spokeswoman for Baldacci, relaying information from emergency management officials, said a bridge on Shore Road in York had failed and there were problems at another bridge on U.S. Route 1 on the Wells-Ogunquit town line.

Gubernatorial communications director Crystal Canney said flooding was reported on dozens of roads. Some lanes were closed on both sides of the lower Maine Turnpike for a time as motorists venturing out were slowed to a crawl.

Major delays were forecast in the area around the York tollbooth.

Canney said eight families had come to the shelter at an Ogunquit community center.

The National Weather Service said Sunday morning that close to 9 inches of rain already had fallen in Wells and that another 2 to 4 inches was possible through the day.

New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard on Sunday as torrential rain washed out roads, flowed over dams and forced scores of people from their homes, while forecasters predicted more heavy rain on the way.

In Hooksett, N.H., about 50 residents of a nursing home were evacuated, as well as some homeowners as water closed three major roads.

“We have had some foundations that have washed out,” New Hampshire emergency management spokesman Charles Watson said. “A mudslide dislodged a couple of buildings.” No one was hurt.

Water was rushing over some New Hampshire dams Sunday afternoon, and at least a dozen were being watched closely.

North of Rochester, N.H., there was concern that a dam on Milton Pond in Milton was in danger of failing. If that should happen, it would send a 10-foot wall of water downstream and possibly overpower other dams. But Milton Fire Chief Andy Lucier said Sunday night he felt that the dam was controlling the water flow.

Nevertheless, crews were sandbagging the area, which borders West Lebanon in Maine, and some people were evacuated.

Heavy rain began Friday evening in most areas, and forecasters said it could total 12 to 15 inches in parts of southern New Hampshire by Sunday night or Monday. The weather service said 5.12 inches of rain fell Saturday in Concord, N.H., 31/2 times the previous record for the date. The 1.66 inches by 5 p.m. Sunday also set a record for the date, with more to come.

By Sunday afternoon, some areas of central New Hampshire had seen 7 inches of rain, and forecasters said another 3 to 5 inches might come during the rest of the day. Rainfall of 6 inches was typical.

Baldacci met with emergency management officials in Augusta and was to get another briefing Sunday night in Alfred. Officials said plans would be developed to cope with travel disruptions during Monday’s commute.

Central, northern and eastern Maine were escaping the worst of the rain.

The sun shone brightly in Bangor, midday skies in Augusta were streaked with blue, and temperatures upstate were expected to reach into the 60s.

In the southern Maine rain belt, local geography could reward or punish.

Kristina Hogue said along the Mousam River in Kennebunk, “we have a neighborhood that is underwater – not underwater, but in water.”

At one home, she said, the water was high enough to cover an outdoor trampoline.

Along Route 1 in Wells at Congdon’s Doughnut Shop, owner Gary Leech said business was steady. Nearly 500 people had made their way in for breakfast or lunch in the dining room, with another 480 at the counter out front.

“And they’re all wet,” he said.

Rising water prompted continuing concerns for Maine officials.

“They’re watching the dams very closely,” Canney said.

In Massachusetts, Gov. Mitt Romney declared a state of emergency as heavy rain soaked the region, and flood warnings were in effect for much of northeastern Massachusetts.

In many communities, roads were closed and residents struggled with flooded basements. Cars were pulled from flooded streets in downtown Peabody, about 20 miles north of Boston, and about 300 people were evacuated from an apartment complex for seniors.

About 150 residents in Melrose, Mass., had to leave their homes after sewage lines were overwhelmed, backing up into houses, Romney said.

Associated Press writers Jerry Harkavy in York Beach and David Tirrell-Wysock in Concord, N.H., contributed to this report.