FARMINGTON — Rising water in the Sandy River closed several major routes in town Monday, keeping first responders busy redirecting traffic and police writing a few tickets for those who ignored posted warnings.

The river began to recede late Monday afternoon and the Intervale was reopened to traffic, Tim Hardy, director of Franklin County Emergency Management, said.

Front Street between McDonald’s and the Farmers Union remained closed.

There was still some water over the road in front of Cumberland Farms but cars were able to go through it slowly, he said. Emergency vehicles were posted near the scene to slow drivers down.

Firefighters spent most of the midday diverting northbound traffic from Center Bridge up the hill on the Farmington Falls Road to Maple Avenue, then to Prescott and High Streets.

The Intervale was closed about 11 a.m. and Front Street earlier than that after high water flooded areas near the river. The Intervale reopened later.

Farmington police officers were kept busy Monday afternoon dealing with small accidents in the long lines of merging traffic around the scene. They also wrote tickets for drivers who ignored “road closed” signs and attempted to drive through the flooded streets.

At least four drivers received tickets charging failure to obey traffic control device, which carries a $106 fine, said Rachel Haseltine, Farmington Police Department secretary.

Hardy said he had heard reports of up to three-and-a-half inches of rain causing high water in water bodies throughout the county. Based on National Weather Service reports, he expected light rain, maybe another quarter inch, Monday night, he said.

He had received reports of some minor road damage throughout the county but encouraged municipalities to call the EMA office after they were able to get out and assess any damage.

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