PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The National Weather Service says heavy rain sweeping across northern New England could cause ice jams, and emergency officials are keeping a close eye on several rivers.

Up to 2 inches of rain is expected across parts of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Meteorologist Mike Cempa says rain and melting snow could cause urban street flooding. But the bigger concern is that rising water could cause river ice to break up, creating ice jams that can cause localized flooding. As of Friday morning, officials were monitoring a pair of ice jams in Plymouth, N.H.

The Coast Guard has four ice-breakers stationed on the Kennebec River in Maine, and the city of Montpelier, Vt., brought in a crane to break up ice on the Winooski River.