Two People Dead and State Under Flood Watch

Two people are dead, and many more have been shaken, by the latest round of wintry weather to hit the state.

Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland says a man and woman were killed today when the van they were in went out of control, crossing the center line and striking a pickup truck, on Route 117 in Hollis.

McCausland says the driver of the van was a 17 year old who was transported with serious injuries, and the two occupants of the pickup truck were also taken to the hospital. They have been identified as 29 year old David Devore, and his passenger 24 year old Brittany Stacey, both of Limington.

Identities of the man and woman killed have not yet been released.

Police say weather was a factor in this crash, and hundreds of others throughout the state, as freezing rain hit frozen road surfaces and turned roadways in Maine into "sheets of ice."

Icing was also a problem for passengers flying out of Bangor International Airport (BIA) when a Delta flight slid off the runway this afternoon on its way to the terminal. No one was hurt.

The entire state remains under a flood watch with some high wind warnings posted as well this evening.

Emergency management officials and the National Weather Service are monitoring Maine's rivers for possible ice jams. The combination of mid temperatures, heavy rain, and strong winds can cause the river ice to break up, potentially causing ice jams and flooding.

Utility companies are all reporting power outages due to the high winds and because of icy road conditions in many locations, restoration is taking some time.

Because of localized road flooding, and heavy wind-swept rains, you're advised to stay tucked in tonight and avoid travel.