Flooding emergency declared in County

AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci declared a State of Emergency for Aroostook County on Tuesday night, linking the declaration to flooding conditions, particularly in the Fort Kent and Wallagrass areas.

“People need to be careful and not take any unnecessary risks,” Baldacci said. “Things can change quickly. We want everyone to be safe, use common sense and report any trouble.”

Officials said watercraft and wardens from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife are being shifted to Aroostook County from other areas to assist local authorities.

Officials also said the Red Cross had made preparations for shelters and that the governor had authorized the director of the Aroostook County Emergency Management Agency to order evacuations if necessary.

The governor’s office said waters are expected to continue to rise in the Fort Kent area until early Thursday morning and aren’t expected to fall below flood stage until Friday afternoon.

“The National Weather Service is predicting that parts of Aroostook County could be hit by record flooding,” Baldacci said in a statement. “The Maine Emergency Management Agency and my office are monitoring the situation and working closely with local emergency management officials to protect public safety.”

Heavy wind and rain also had Bangor Hydro crews working into the night Tuesday to restore power in Hancock and Washington counties. An early count of the number of meters affected was close to 900.

Most customers were expected to be restored overnight. But Bangor Hydro said continued winds could cause additional outages and some customers may be without power into Wednesday.

Despite warnings to evacuate, some residents along New Brunswick’s swollen St. John River vowed Tuesday that rising flood waters wouldn’t force them from their homes.

Emergency measures officials advised residents in low-lying areas south of Fredericton to either leave or be prepared to be stranded for at least a week.

“I feel that I am well enough equipped to cope with it, and if things get very bad, I’ve got a reasonably large well-equipped boat that I can get in and pull away,” said Dave O’Brien, who has lived with his wife, Marilyn, along the river in Sheffield for 15 years.

By Tuesday afternoon, the floodwaters had surrounded their property, making it resemble an island.

“When you have most of your worldly possessions tied up in your piece of property, you’re somewhat concerned about it,” O’Brien said. “If it’s going to be washed away, you may as well be there to witness it.”