Staff Writer
CARIBOU — With the larger than usual amount of snowfall this year, weather forecasters are predicting widespread minor flooding throughout Aroostook County, according to officials at a meeting last week in Caribou. “Now is the time to prepare for whatever is going to happen,” said Mark Turner, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service office in Caribou.
The meeting was coordinated by the Aroostook County Emergency Management Agency, which is monitoring conditions for potential flooding. Officials said Thursday that emergency shelters are being identified and supplies stockpiled in the event of flooding. Volunteers are on alert in the event that residents need assistance.
The region has surpassed the 1954-1955 snowfall record of 181 inches. In addition, the snow contains a large quantity of liquid, which could cause flooding when the snow begins to melt. Turner said that the depth of the snow on the ground is about 45 to 55 inches. The liquid content has been estimated at 12 to 14.5 inches. Previously, the liquid content has been about eight to ten inches.
“It’s unprecedented by any measure,” said Turner. “It’s in the top 10 percent of measurements made across the state.”
Turner predicted that if a large amount of precipitation falls, coupled with the melting snow, flooding could occur.
Tony Sturey, the warnings coordinator at the weather office, explained that any flooding is the result of several factors, including snow pack and precipitation.
“There’s a recipe for flooding,” said Sturey. “It’s a puzzle we’re trying to piece together.”
NWS officials researched the large snowfalls in 1955 and in 1982 and found that there was no resultant flooding.
Sturey said that the temperature range would allow melting during the day, but slow that process during the night hours, which offers a change for orderly melting. However, a storm cycle is expected between April 10 and 20, where the frequency of precipitation will increase, Sturey said. In this case, more rain than snow will fall, according to the NWS official.
County residents may contact the American Red Cross at 493-4620 or the Aroostook County Emergency Management Agency at 493-4328 for information on preparing for a flood.
