Flood watch to last into Monday for much of Maine and Kennebec County

AUGUSTA — Heavy rain ended in the area Sunday afternoon, but with occasional rain expected to last through Monday, much of Maine was placed under flood watch.

Downtown areas in Augusta, Gardiner and Hallowell weren’t threatened immediately by water Sunday, even after the National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the area that expired in the afternoon.

Additional Photos

GOING WITH THE FLOW: A drake ring-necked duck climbs over ice Sunday to find open water on the Kennebec River in Gardiner. The river is flowing well below flood stage, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Northeast River Forecast Center is forecasting neither a flood watch nor a flood warning for the river despite heavy rain Saturday and Sunday and a flood watch elsewhere. Flocks of diving ducks are flying north during the spring migration. Staff photo by Andy Molloy

That was downgraded to a watch before 5 p.m., which affected most of Maine’s southern half and parts of New Hampshire, including Kennebec County. Two inches of rain were expected to fall across the area Sunday, with up to an inch more expected through Monday.

Combined with runoff and melting snow, minor flooding could occur around rivers and streams, with ice jams possible in rivers, the weather service said.

However, no flooding was forecast for the Kennebec River at points in Sidney and Augusta as of just after 5 p.m. Sunday, according to the Northeast River Forecast Center.

On Sunday morning, Richard Beausoleil, director of the Kennebec County Emergency Management Agency, said the greatest potential for flooding would occur Monday, after more runoff hits the river.

“We’re just keeping an eye on things,” Beausoleil said.

Michael Shepherd — 370-7652 [email protected] Twitter: @mikeshepherdme

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