Rain that flooded roads and some buildings while swelling Maine rivers and streams was blamed at least in part for three highway fatalities in the southern part of the state during the weekend.
The steady, pounding rain flooded numerous roads in the state, prompting Maine Emergency Management Agency warnings to motorists not to attempt to drive across water-covered roads. Thousands of power outages were also reported.
Lincoln County appeared to be the hardest-hit area in the state, with dozens of roads closed. The flooding also forced the closing of a condominium complex in Bath, and some residents of an Augusta apartment complex were forced from their homes when water from a flooded parking lot spilled into their homes.
Early Sunday, a 21-year-old man Scarborough was killed when his car went off the northbound lane of Interstate 95. Police said a combination of speed and heavy rain led to the accident that claimed the life of Thyrak Ann. A passenger, Richard Waltz, 23, of Arundel, sustained internal injuries and was taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital in New Hampshire.
On Saturday, Norman White, 31, of Biddeford, and 56-year-old Anthony Mazza of Burlington, Vt., died when the car they were riding in was hit by a tow truck on Route 5 in Dayton.
The National Weather Service said rainfall totals exceeded 8 inches in some Maine towns, making the weekend one of the rainiest on record in the state.
As of Sunday night, Portland had received 6.7 inches of rain, New Gloucester had 7.7, and Augusta had 8.1 inches.
Small rivers and streams in the state began to recede on Monday, but larger rivers continued to swell as they collected runoff from the smaller waterways.
More than 5,000 residential and commercial electric customers were without service during peak outages caused by the storm Sunday, Central Maine Power Co. said. Brunswick and Rockland areas were among the hardest hit.
Forecasters said Monday would remain damp, with drizzle early and steady rain later. More rain is expected later this week.
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