Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Urges Awareness And Caution For Sunday’s Rainfall

Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Urges Awareness And Caution For Sunday’s Rainfall

AUGUSTA, MAINE — A Flood Watch remains in effect from Sunday morning through late Sunday night for portions of Maine and all of New Hampshire. Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) advises extreme awareness and caution ahead of tomorrow’s rainfall. The National Weather Service in Gray reports moderate precipitation will begin Sunday morning then rainfall rates will increase during the afternoon and evening with thunderstorms. Rainfall rates may exceed 2 inches per hour. Their current forecast brings 1 to 3 inches to large portions of the watch area with localized amounts as high as 4 to 5 inches.

“Given the amount of rain we’ve had since June, we’re concerned about some of the critical infrastructure around the state, like roadways, culverts, and seawalls,” said MEMA Director Peter Rogers. “Folks need to be vigilant about checking their local forecast, looking into road conditions before they travel using resources like New England 5-1-1, and making sure weather alerts are enabled on their cell phone.”

Flood Facts:

  • Floods may cause outages, disrupt transportation, damage buildings, and create landslides.
  • Flash floods can be sudden and violent. You may have little-to-no warning. Designate a place on higher ground that you can get to quickly. Plan to move to higher ground before flooding begins.
  • River floods: Know if you are in an area that is prone to river floods. Review your evacuation plan so that you can leave quickly if officials advise you to evacuate.

How To Prepare:

  • Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response. Gather supplies, including non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, and water for several days, in case you must leave immediately or if services are cut off in your area. Make a record of your personal property by taking photos or videos of your belongings. Store these records in a safe place.
  • Stay tuned to radio, TV, or the internet for weather updates, emergency instructions, or evacuation orders. Be prepared to turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Be prepared to evacuate if instructed to do so.

If you must evacuate or are traveling during flooding, remember:

  • Do not walk into flowing water. Most drownings occur during flash floods.
  • Remember the phrase “Turn Around, Don't Drown!” Don't drive through flooded roads.
  • Do not drive around road barriers.

The US CDC reports that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. Many of the deaths occur when cars are swept downstream. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters.

MEMA remains in communication with Maine DOT and County Emergency Management Agencies in affected areas to closely monitor current conditions and the potential for disaster. To obtain timely safety and preparedness information, visit MEMA on Facebook or Twitter. Additional flood safety material is posted on MEMA’s website.

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