I never thought I’d see the day when Fort Kent, Maine would be number 7 in Google searches. Fort Kent, Maine is my hometown. Most of my family lives there. And it’s flooding.
I called my family and they are ok. The lumberyard of the family hardware store is a total loss but it sounds like they had insurance. My family members helped with the evacuations and said the water was rising pretty quickly yesterday while they were doing that.
The sun is out today though and it seems like the water is receeding. My mom said this whole thing has prompted people to think of rebuilding the International Bridge, which has apparently been swaying. The dike kept the water from spilling over onto Main Street by a few inches (at least, in some places). For awhile, everyone was in suspense because it could have gone either way.
My friend Roland sent me this photo via email. The next day, I saw it on the front page of the Bangor Daily News.
Please keep Fort Kent in your thoughts. I sure am.
Yeah it’s horrible! I had to evacuate my house in Soldier Pond..I don’t have heat, hot water…but I had electricity since the town thought my house was already vacant! haha! anywho…the oil tank ruptured in my basement…and is spilling oil throughout the fish river. I never thought I would have to flee my home at 4:00 am with my bags packed and animals in tow (well one of them, I couldn’t find my other cat…he’s safe now). At least everyone is safe! I feel for those who lost their homes though…my uncle and Aunt’s home, which is frequently seen in flood pictures on CNN and WAGM and WLBZ is a total loss… We’ll all be okay I’m sure.
It’s crazy in Ft. Kent right now. My mother, Albertine Martin, my sister Ann Ouellette and Lee Ouellette and kids were in D.C. visiting me last week and when they got back to Ft. Kent is was under water. They got back in time to get everything out of their basement. I haven’t seen that much flooding since I grew up and we had ice jams that created flooding in Ft. Kent. I’ve been calling my relatives daily to give me an update. I’m glad everyone is safe and I pray for all of you.
Greg Martin