Rochester, New Hampshire

The Flood Warning continues for
the lamprey river near Newmarket.
* Until further notice.
* At 3 am Tuesday the stage was 14.0 feet.
* Flood stage is 8.0 feet.
* The river is cresting this morning just above 14 feet. It is expected to begin
a slow fall this afternoon but will likely stay above flood stage through
Thursday morning.

The National Weather Service has declared the week of March
15th through 19th, flood awareness week in Maine and New
Hampshire, as well as the remainder of the United States.
This is the second in a series of five public information
statements issued by the National Weather Service office in
gray for flood awareness week.

... Flood watches and warnings...

To alert the public to potentially threatening flood
conditions, the National Weather Service issues flood watches
and warnings. Generally, a Flood Watch is issued when
flooding is possible within the next 36 hours. A Flood
Warning indicates that flooding is imminent or already
occurring.

There are several different types of flood warnings issued by
the National Weather Service. Here are some definitions.

Flood warnings for major rivers - these warnings are issued
specifically for major rivers and include forecasts of water
levels and/or flows at certain points along the river.

Flood warnings for small rivers and streams - these warnings
are issued by County for the smaller rivers and streams.

Flash flood warnings - these warnings are issued for rivers
and streams in a specific area when rapid rises are expected
to cause flooding and immediate action may be needed to save
lives or protect property.

Flood advisories - these advisories are issued for urban
areas or for small streams when the normal drainage is unable
to handle the volume of runoff from heavy rain and/or
snowmelt. Ice or snow may contribute to the flooding by
blocking drainage mechanisms.

If you live in a flood-prone area, be sure to monitor the
latest forecasts for any watches or warnings. Always report
any flooding to the appropriate local officials and always
obey all barricades and local detours. And never, under any
circumstance, drive into a flooded roadway!

Jensenius/Hawley
National Weather Service
Gray, Maine

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