CARIBOU, Maine— The National Weather Service Office in Caribou has issued a cold-water safety message for northwest Aroostook, northeast Aroostook, northern Somerset, northern Piscataquis, northern Penobscot, southeast Aroostook, central Piscataquis, central Penobscot, southern Penobscot, interior Hancock, central Washington, coastal Hancock, coastal Washington, southern Piscataquis and northern Washington counties.
NWS officials said the warm air temperatures this weekend, in the mid-60s, may cause people to underestimate the dangers of the cold water temperatures, which are currently in the 40s on the lakes and in the mid-50s on the rivers.
The cold water temperatures can quickly cause cold water shock to anyone immersed in the water. According to cold water experts, when the water temperatures are below 50 degrees, the chance of immediate incapacitation due to cold shock is extremely high. Anyone on small boats, canoes or kayaks should plan accordingly if recreating this weekend and use extreme caution to avoid this threat. Paddle smart from the start and always wear your life jacket.
Gusty winds are also expected this weekend with gusts up to 25 mph from the south. If boating on large bodies of water, these strong winds can increase the likelihood of overturning your boat, canoe or kayak due to increased wave heights.
The warning includes the communities of Allagash, Clayton Lake, Madawaska, Fort Kent, Frenchville, Presque Isle, Caribou, Van Buren, Mars Hill, Baker Lake, Billy-Jack Depot, Baxter St Park, Chamberlain Lake, Churchill Dam, Mount Katahdin, Millinocket, East Millinocket, Patten, Medway, Houlton, Hodgdon, Sherman, Smyrna Mills, Greenville, Monson, Blanchard, Lincoln, Howland, Springfield, Bangor, Brewer, Orono, Old Town, Amherst, Aurora, Dedham, Eastbrook, Great Pond, Orland, Calais, Grand Lake Stream, Wesley, Perry, Princeton, Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, Bucksport, Castine, Eastport, Machias, Cherryfield, Dover-Foxcroft, Milo, Guilford, Danforth, Vanceboro and Topsfield.
