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Historic flood waters continue to rise, despite storm's overnight departure

The storm is now gone, but some rivers are still rising. Flooding remains an issue.

PORTLAND, Maine — Massive snowmelt plus 4 to 6 inches of fresh rainfall has led to one of the worst flooding events in recent memory. 

Several rivers in Maine saw record crest levels and spilled out of their banks, washing out many culverts and roads. 

It's a mess, and there's a lot of work to do. 

Repairs and restoration will take several days, if not weeks for some infrastructure damage. 

Thankfully, no additional precipitation or storms are expected for the next week or so.

The smaller rivers and streams are already receding. 

Check out the gauge chart from the Swift River in Roxbury. It's all-time record crest level of 14.2 feet! The old record crest was 12.87 feet from 1959.

Credit: NERFC

The larger rivers are in the process of cresting closer to their headwaters. That's the case on the Androscoggin River in Rumford, which crested at 22.03 feet, third all-time, and records go back all the way to the 1800s!

Credit: NERFC

Downstream, the larger rivers still have a way to go before cresting. 

Most will peak later Tuesday or Tuesday night, then slowly recede below flood stage later this week. 

The Kennebec River in Augusta, for instance, is forecast to crest just below 24 feet. The all-time record is 34.10 feet from back in 1987, so no record from this event. However, that 23.9 level would put it third on the all-time list!

For the latest breaking news, weather, and traffic alerts, download the NEWS CENTER Maine mobile app.

Credit: NERFC

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For the latest breaking news, weather, and traffic alerts, download the NEWS CENTER Maine mobile app.

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