CARIBOU, Maine — Spring may have had a late start in The County, but now the Aroostook, St. John, and Allagash rivers are beginning to thaw.
Aroostook Emergency Management Agency Director Darren Woods said on Monday that while there has been ice movement on the Aroostook and St. John rivers throughout the past week, there have not been any issues with flooding at this point.
“We’re going to be watching things closely this week as temperatures warm up and the snow starts to melt,” Woods said.
On Monday morning, the Allagash River had not thawed enough for the ice to let go, according to the EMA Director.
“It’s moved a little bit,” he said, “but the ice hasn’t released yet.”
Later that day, however, EMA’s Aroostook County Flood Watch” Facebook page posted at 4:41 p.m. that ice in the Allagash River had started to move.
Woods said this page was “extremely active over the weekend” with comments for County residents about spring weather.
The page was created in late March of 2017 with the intention of facilitating enhanced communication between Aroostook EMA, local media organizations, and municipal officials throughout The County. Anyone in the region with information or photographs of ice melting or flooding are encouraged to share their information so it can be spread as quickly as possible.
“We really appreciate everyone commenting,” he said. “The public has been really helpful to us.”
Woods said that while there are currently no road closures due to flooding or potentially dangerous areas in The County that are susceptible to flooding, EMA is keeping a watchful eye on the melting snow and ice.
“Right now the water levels are all pretty low and stable,” he said. “We’re not having any issues, but we can’t rule anything out.”
