April 30, 2008 Slideshow: Fort Kent flooding, 3pm Play video

(NECN) - Thanks to sjv.net and its many community members for allowing us to use some of their photos (each of them, except the aerial shot).

The waters are continuing to rise in Northern Maine, where the St. John River is moving closer to the top of the levee that protects the downtown of Fort Kent.

Maine Gov. John Baldacci is touring the area by air on Wednesday afternoon, and evacuations are continuing, as residents brace for the river to crest sometime around 2 a.m. Thursday. Earlier in the day, it was the Fish River causing problems, and forcing the closure of the bridge connecting East and West Main St.

At least three inches of rain in 24 hours have combined with the melting of the heaviest winter snow accumulation in memory. The The National Weather Service says the river should crest tomorrow at 31 feet, or 4 feet above the record set in 1979.

People have already begun gathering at an emergency shelter set up at the University of Maine at Fort Kent.