AUGUSTA (AP) – State emergency officials closely monitored ice jams on northern Maine rivers Thursday as Gov. John Baldacci prepared to formally request federal disaster assistance to help cover damage to public property from flooding earlier this month.

Baldacci visited Maine Emergency Management Agency headquarters at midday to receive a briefing on water buildup along the Allagash and Aroostook rivers.

The National Weather Service had relaxed its cautions about flooding in southern Maine after the previous day’s rain measured less than some feared.

But a flood watch remained in effect Thursday morning over northern Maine, where more steady rain was expected.

“No news is good news,” Baldacci told emergency management overseers, expressing hope that a new round of flooding could be avoided.

Told that recorded damage in Maine had exceeded the threshold required for a request for federal aid, Baldacci asked officials to expedite their preparation of a state application.

Particularly hard hit by rising waters recently were Canton and Farmington.

On Wednesday the governor, who had previously surveyed damage in Canton, returned to the community to join in a toy distribution project for flood-stricken families.

Around the state on Christmas Day, motorists faced difficulty as dense fog sharply curtailed visibility in many areas.

The blame for foggy conditions was laid to unseasonably warm air interacting with the remaining snowpack.

While meeting with emergency management officials, Baldacci also discussed the status of the state’s response to heightened warnings from federal officials about possible terrorist attacks.

Maine officials said Thursday they had no indication the most recent homeland security alert was based on anything specific to Maine.

“The concerns are around us, but we have to be sensitive too,” Baldacci said.

Intelligence warnings of possible terrorist plots to use aircraft against American targets prompted the cancellation of six Air France flights between Los Angeles and Paris and triggered intense security talks between U.S. and foreign officials.

Maine officials have been reviewing precautions to safeguard the state’s most vulnerable places and also have been consulting with federal border officials.

AP-ES-12-25-03 1347EST