ALLAGASH (AP) – Flood threats have largely subsided in southern Maine, but state emergency management officials are concentrating on the rivers in the north of the state where ice jams, bridge damage and some flooding are reported.

The National Weather Service says ice jams are unpredictable, dangerous, and can create situations akin to a dam break that can cause serious flooding downstream.

Flights were scheduled for Monday afternoon over the St. John River to see if ice jams that appeared to have broken free posed potential problems several miles downstream in Allagash and the village of Dickey, the Maine Emergency Management Agency said.

Water and ice washing downstream could intercept an ice jam in that Allagash area of far northern Aroostook County, the National Weather Service said.

Ice that had already accumulated at Allagash was estimated to be 30 feet high, and water that’s been backed up has flooded a private road, cutting off access to several homes. The weather service said there were also reports of bridges damaged and closed in the North Woods.

Farther downstream, an ice jam that remained in place in Grand Isle caused some flooding of farm land and covered an island in the middle of the St. John River.

A three-mile ice jam was also reported on the Aroostook River in Fort Fairfield.

Meanwhile, the weather servicve predicted a couple of inches of snow in northern Aroostook County overnight Monday and Tuesday as lows dip into the 20s. Rain showers could arrive Wednesday, with temperatures going into the 20s.

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