LEWISTON, Maine — A storm on Wednesday is expected to bring snow, rain, and potential flooding to different parts of the state. In Androscoggin County, they are preparing for all three.
Kevin Gagne, the interim public works director for Lewiston, said even though they are down in staffing, they are preparing plow drivers and the rest of their department to respond to the varying impacts of this storm, where temperatures could hover between freezing and above-freezing for several hours.
"We sent crews home because it could be a long night... we pushed back as long as we can... and with the storm drains, get those cleared out now so when the snow does come, it doesn't flood as bad," Gagne said.
Gagne said that during the flooding in December, the surge came from the rivers. But with the threat of flooding now in January, he said the snow could block the drains, preventing water from flowing and causing more flooding.
"It depends on the timing and the magnitude of the storm—this could be a dramatic storm," Gagne said.
Only time will tell the extent of the damage this storm will do when you add in the threat of wind gusts into the 50-60 mph range, Gagne said—his crews are also prepared to look for downed trees and power lines.
"It changes, and we're getting ready for everything and I think people should be too, but hope for the best," Gagne said.
Meanwhile, in a region with a growing unhoused population, the race is on to bring people into some form of shelter.
Dan Campbell, who volunteers his time to help unhoused people, said people were on edge knowing this storm could damage property.
"It's been more frantic, not frantic for me but frantic on their part," Campbell said. "You got to understand there is no shelter."
Both Lewiston and Auburn, despite the demand for homeless resources doubling over the last year, do not have an overnight shelter or long-term shelter space unhoused people can access similar to the Homeless Services Center in Portland.
There are some volunteer overnight options for people, but they can be hard to access, and whatever space there is fills up fast.
Campbell said he spent the day working to use donated funds to get homeless people into hotel rooms Tuesday night.
"My worry for tonight, as it is with any night, but more so because it was three degrees this morning, is that someone I'm going to know is not going to be here tomorrow," Campbell said.