Spring flooding overwhelmed a portion of the Russell Road, which is currently blocked of by Fort Fairfield Police. Last night, Fort Fairfield Police and Fire Department responded to a vehicle that attempted to drive through the flood and, according to a report, had to pull the vehicle out with a tow truck. As of Apr. 12, the road is still not safe for travel. (Christopher Bouchard)
FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — As rainfall and melting snow combined to raise water levels around the state, local police charged a driver Tuesday night after they say he disregarded a barrier that had been set up to prevent folks from using a flooded roadway.
The driver’s vehicle became stuck in the flood water across Russell Road at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and had to be towed, but all three occupants were able to walk to safety with no injuries, according to Fort Fairfield Police.
Most of Maine was under a flood watch through late Wednesday night, with the National Weather Service alerting anyone living in flood prone areas to be prepared to move to higher ground.
Only minor flooding was anticipated except in areas around Skowhegan and Augusta, where the Kennebec River was expected to overflow, and near Auburn where the Androscoggin was rising.
The weather service warned residents to not attempt to drive through flooded areas as it is impossible to tell whether the road is safe and “most flood deaths occur in automobiles. Turn
around, don’t drown.”
Meanwhile, an ice jam and snowmelt were causing minor flooding in Fort Fairfield, Crouseville, Washburn and Presque Isle.
In Fort Fairfield, police blocked off about a mile-long stretch of the Russell Road on Tuesday, as water from the Aroostook River covered a portion of the roadway. Only about 30 feet of roadway was flooded but the barricades were set up near where vehicles could be redirected onto other streets.
Police did not name the driver but said in a press release that the motorist was charged with failing to obey a traffic control device after he drove past a barricade and got stuck.
The police department also issued a statement regarding the road closure on its Facebook page Tuesday warning drivers about the rising river water.
“The Russell Road is currently closed due to flooding,” the statement read. “Please seek an alternate route via the Limestone Road to the McNamee Road. NEVER cross flooded roads until they have been inspected and are determined safe to travel.”
Police indicated that no homes were in danger at that time.
As of noon Wednesday, the road was still blocked and flooded.
