Flood risk will be above average in central Maine in spring

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Weather officials are warning that central Maine towns will be at above average risk of flooding this spring.

Officials with the River Flow Advisory Commission reached the conclusion Thursday that flood risks are “above normal” for riverfront communities in the central part of the state. The commission is made up of representatives from the National Weather Service, United States Geological Survey and state and local emergency management agencies.

The Kennebec Journal reports cold-than-normal weather, high snowfalls and spring melt will send a lot of water into streams and rivers. Bob Lent of the U.S. Geological Survey says stream flow, water density in packed snow, ice thickness and water levels in basins are all above-average.

Kennebec County Emergency Management Agency Director Sean Goodwin says melt will be gradual in Kennebec County.