Low pressure developed over north-central North Carolina on the morning of the 17th and moved rapidly northeastward.  The low intensified during the day and passed to the west of the state overnight.   The  low was accompanied by a deep flow of moisture from the  Gulf of Mexico. Dewpoints in eastern North Carolina were in the mid 60s to the east of the low.  A strong south to southeast wind developed across the state which enhanced the amount of precipitation that fell in the mountains.  The southeast flow also caused temperatures to rise into the mid 40s at many locations.  Precipitation amounts were heaviest in the mountains where over 3 inches of rain fell in places.  An observer in Andover recorded 3.41 inches of precipitation.  Many homes and roads were flooded. Ice jams also played a part in the severity of the flooding.  At one point the town of Bethel was completely cutoff as all roads in and out of the town were closed due to ice jams.  A trailer Park in West Bethel was evacuated because the water had reached 4 to 5 feet deep.  The towns in Maine that were most affected were Bethel, Rumford and Canton.  In Canton the local school and fire station were flooded, as well as about 50 homes.  Approximately 120 residents of a nursing home were also evacuated.  In Farmington, Route 4, the main thoroughfare, and Front Street were flooded and several businesses were inundated.  Many roads across western Maine were washed out as a result of the combination of high rainfall rates and rapid snow melt.  Some other towns affected by flooding were Solon, Bingham, North Anson, Anson, Dixfield, Milton, North Woodstock, and Roxbury.  Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford, Somerset and Waldo Counties received a presidential disaster declaration due to the flooding. The rainfall and snowmelt also caused the Carrabassett, Kennebec, and Androscoggin Rivers to flood.  The Kennebec River at Skowhegan was above the 35,000 CFS flood flow from 10:30 am on the 18th to 1:00 am on the 20th, and crested at 78,100 CFS at 7:30 pm on the 18th.  At North Sidney, the Kennebec River was above the 17 ft flood stage from 4:30 pm on the 18th to 11:15 pm on the 19th, and crested at 22.21 feet at 12:15 am on the 19th.  At Augusta, the Kennebec River was above the 13 ft flood stage from 5:15 pm on the 18th to 4:15 am on the 20th, and crested at 18.39 feet at 2:00 am on the 19th.The Carrabassett River at North Anson was above the 15 ft flood stage from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm on the 18th, and crested at 16.58 feet at 10:45 am.The Androscoggin River at Auburn was above the 13 ft flood stage from 10 pm on the 18th to 1:15 am on the 20th, and crested at 14.18 feet at 5:15 pm on the 18th.

Flood in NORTHERN FRANKLIN, MAINE
From 17-DEC-03 20:00:00 to 19-DEC-03 12:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in NORTHERN OXFORD, MAINE
From 17-DEC-03 20:00:00 to 19-DEC-03 12:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in SOUTHERN FRANKLIN, MAINE
From 17-DEC-03 20:00:00 to 19-DEC-03 12:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in SOUTHERN OXFORD, MAINE
From 17-DEC-03 20:00:00 to 19-DEC-03 12:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in SOUTHERN SOMERSET, MAINE
From 17-DEC-03 20:00:00 to 20-DEC-03 01:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in ANDROSCOGGIN, MAINE
From 18-DEC-03 22:00:00 to 20-DEC-03 01:15:00 (EST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in CENTRAL SOMERSET, MAINE
From 18-DEC-03 20:00:00 to 19-DEC-03 12:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in COASTAL WALDO, MAINE
From 18-DEC-03 06:00:00 to 19-DEC-03 00:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in INTERIOR WALDO, MAINE
From 18-DEC-03 06:00:00 to 19-DEC-03 00:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Flood in KENNEBEC, MAINE
From 18-DEC-03 16:30:00 to 20-DEC-03 04:15:00 (EST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.