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The University of Maine’s Steam Plant parking lot, just feet from the Stillwater River, was closed early Wednesday due to the flooding of the riverside row of parking spots.
According to Alan Stormann, UMaine’s assistant director for parking and transportation, six cars were moved to the College Avenue side of the parking lot between 7:15 and 7:30 a.m. at no cost to students or faculty.
“The water was up above their tires, so I had the wrecking crew go in and move them back,” Stormann said. “I don’t think there’s going to be much cost [of damage].”
A blanket message was sent by Dean of Students Robert Dana at 10 a.m. that urged members of the UMaine community to move vehicles “as soon as possible.” University spokesman Joe Carr said there was an “overwhelming” response to that message and most vehicles were moved by owners.
Stormann said the water level could rise another 8 to 10 inches before receding around 9 p.m. tonight. By 9 a.m. Thursday, he said the water level would likely be back to a relatively normal height. There is no impending danger of flooding in any other rows of parked cars at this point, but Stormann said he is taking “precaution.”
“We don’t know what 8 to 10 inches means,” he said. “I’ve lived here for years and have seen the Stillwater all the way up to College Avenue. Not much, but it has happened.”
Stormann said he would try to have all vehicles removed from the lot by tonight. Carr said vehicle owners would be contacted to move their vehicles as the day goes on. If vehicles are not moved in a timely fashion, he said “a small fee” for towing could be assessed to vehicle owners.
At 11:22 a.m., The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Penobscot River, saying the river, which is connected to the Stillwater, will fall continue to fall below flood stage this afternoon. Lowland flooding, however, is expected to continue from Greenbush to Orono. Flooding is also occurring on the Penobscot in West Enfield, which is approximately 27 miles north of Orono.
