Heavy storms on Thursday evening could lead to flash flooding and damaging winds across parts of southern and central Maine.
Heat advisories are already in place for York and Cumberland Counties, as well as flood watches in York, Cumberland, Oxford, Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties through this evening.
Jon Palmer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Gray, said that with the ground already saturated across much of Maine, heavy rain this afternoon could lead to extended flash flooding.
"And so you know, when you have storms that kind of hit the same area over and over and over again, there could be some localized flash flooding with that," Palmer said.
Recent storms have led to extensive rainfall damage in parts of western Maine, as well as Androscoggin County. Heavy winds could also result in downed trees on Thursday.
In one apartment complex in Lewiston, the heavy precipitation caused severe damage, condemning the building and displacing 10 families.
Derek Sluhocki lived in the apartment for several years and is struggling to find new housing.
"The rainstorm came in and overwhelmed the drainpipe, but on top of the roof, there was rain collection from several months, and it just all came in, right through the whole apartment. It came through multiple roof sections," he said.
Various roads in Lewiston and Auburn were also damaged during the rainstorm.
The National Weather Service is predicting an additional inch of rain in the towns for Thursday evening. Palmer said that if you get caught in a storm during your evening commute, do not attempt to drive through any flooded roads.
"People tend to underestimate the power of water, running water," Palmer said. "Running water can physically move vehicles."
With heavy rainfall moving into the state today the National Weather Service reports a flood watch is in effect, especially for western Maine.
The Maine Flood Plain Management Program reports that there are approximately 33,000 structures at risk of flooding in Maine and up to 75% of homes and businesses in floodplains in Maine are not covered by flood insurance.
Flood Program Planner Janet Parker says every property owner should assess the flood risk for their home or business and consider getting flood insurance.
"We always encourage people to be familiar with the flood risk where they live and work and prepare themselves," she says.
Homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood damage. The National Flood Insurance Program provides flood insurance through local brokers.
The average annual flood insurance policy premium in Maine is about $1,000. Currently, there are over 9,000 flood insurance policies in effect in Maine with coverage totaling over $1.9 billion.
Oppressive heat, reaching into the 90s, is expected to linger through the state into tomorrow. But Palmer says temperatures should fall by the weekend.
Several southern Maine communities, including Bridgton, Scarborough and Portland, have all opened cooling centers today and tomorrow for people looking to escape the heat.
You can find a full list of cooling centers at maine.gov/mema.
