ROCKPORT --Â Winter rainfall is causing problems across Maine.
According to Jason Peasley, the Fire Chief for the Rockport Fire Department, recent rain and snowfall -- along with the buildup of ice and snow from previous storms -- has led to flooding on some roadways and homes in the area.
"There's nowhere for the water to go, so basements are taking the brunt of it," said Peasley. "The ground's frozen with that ice, it's finding the quickest way to get away from where it is."
Basements across the coastal town have flooded with as much as two-and-a-half feet of water -- prompting firefighters to help locals pump out their homes.
According to Peasley, the department responded to around five calls on the morning of January 26.
Peasley says he expects departments across the state to respond to even more calls as melting ice adds to the rainfall, and gave some advice about how homeowners can try to avoid damage in the future.
"If people have the ability -- or someone who can help shovel around their houses -- so when water does flow it has a place to go versus into basements, into crawlspaces," said Peasley.
On Route 1A in Lincolnville, flooding has slowed traffic and damaged driveways along the road, where the Maine Department of Transportation redirected vehicles and began repairs.
Peasley says winter rainfall is common in the area, and encouraged people to call their local fire department if they have problems with flooding.
"The rain is what causes havoc this time of year when you have snow pack or ice on the ground," said Peasley. "This morning it was still raining pretty heavy, but that's what we're all here to do is help out the community -- so the weather's the weather and we gotta do what we gotta do to help."