Flooding in Maine, October 16 to 18, 2005

Intensifying low pressure lifting north across the region produced the second heavy rain event in a week. Rainfall totals across Aroostook county generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches...with local totals to around 4.50 inches. The heaviest rains fell across east and northeast portions of the county. This heavy rain falling on already saturated ground led to rapid run off into rivers and streams which rose quickly in response to the rains. A beaver dam on the Dead Brook near Bridgewater collapsed...releasing impounded water from the recent heavy rains. These waters flooded a portion of Route 1 in Bridgewater and spilled into the firehouse near the brook with 2 feet of water reported in the building. Elevated river and stream levels were reported...particularly across eastern portions of the county...with some smaller rivers and streams overflowing their banks. Some roads were closed due to flooding...with many reports of standing water in poor drainage areas. Water was also reported in many basements. The combination of run off from this rain and the heavy rain event just a week earlier...kept many rivers and streams at elevated levels for several days following the rain event.