Ice Jam Breaking Halted on Kennebec River
The Maine Emergency Management Agency and the United States Coast Guard have halted their efforts to break up a one-and-a-half-mile-long ice jam that’s blocking the Kennebec River between Gardiner and Augusta, causing flooding in areas along the river.
Officials say that instead of focusing on breaking the jam while battling sub-freezing temperatures, they will turn their energies toward monitoring the river and the ice jam. Should temperatures warm-up or if a rain storm moved in, it is likely the jam would move down river and potentially cause more flooding.
If the jam moves, the Coast Guard is expected to go back on the river to continue breaking the ice. Emergency officials are warning residents living near the river to be prepared to act quickly should more flooding occur.
(Provided by News 13)
