With heavy rain in forecast, officials in flood-prone areas monitor rivers

WATCHING THE RIVERS AND THE WEATHER OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS. PEOPLE ALONG THE SACO AND CONWAY SOAKING UP THE SUN WHILE THEY CAN BEFORE THE REMNANTS OF BARREL, BARREL THROUGH BOTH THE SACO AND SWIFT RIVERS MEET IN THE VILLAGE AND ARE KNOWN TO FLOOD. SO IN THIS AREA, WE’RE ALWAYS WATCHING THE RIVER AS OUR BIGGEST CONCERN BECAUSE WITH HISTORICAL FLOODING, CONWAY SAW CATASTROPHIC FLOODING THIS PAST DECEMBER. BUT LUCKILY FIRE CHIEF PHIL REMINGTON SAYS THE RIVERS ARE LOW RIGHT NOW, ONLY AT ABOUT THREE FEET, LEAVING PLENTY OF ROOM FOR RAIN TO FILL BEFORE SPILLING OVER THE BANKS. SO FAR, IT’S NOT LOOKING LIKE WE’LL REACH THAT POINT, BUT WE’LL WATCH IT. THEY PLAN TO MONITOR THE RIVERS, THE STREAMS, BROOKS AND NEIGHBORHOODS PRONE TO FLOODING AND ROADS KNOWN TO WASH OUT THROUGH THE DURATION OF THIS STORM. WE’RE SUPPOSED TO GET A LARGE AMOUNT OF RAIN, ESPECIALLY OVER THE MOUNTAINS. SO THE RUNOFF OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS THEN COMES DOWN INTO THE RIVERS. THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE LOW LYING AREAS ARE NO STRANGER TO WHAT STORMS CAN BRING. SWIFT WATER RESCUE CREWS ARE ON STANDBY FOR ANY FLOOD ASSESSMENTS OR EVACUATIONS IF THEY’RE NEEDED. THEY’VE BEEN THROUGH THIS BEFORE. WE KNOW WHICH AREAS FLOOD FIRST. WE KNOW WHERE TO WATCH THE PAST. FLOODING IN THE VILLAGE IS CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE OF THE RIVERS THAT PASS THROUGH TOWN. WE’VE SEEN SOME DIFFERENT WATER THAN WE’VE SEEN IN PAST STORMS. THAT’S CAUSED THE RIVER TO RISE FASTER THAN EXPECTED. SO WE’RE MONITORING IT CAREFULLY. AND THE CHIEF SAYS IF IT IS GOING TO FLOOD, IT’S PROBABLY GOING TO BE WHEN IT’S DARK OUT AND THAT CAN BE DANGEROUS. HE ASKS IF YOU CAN STAY HOME. YOU SHOULD. IF YOU CAN’T, DON’T DRIVE THROUGH ANY FLOODED WATERWAYS. AND IF YOU SEE ANY DOWNED POWER