Coastal Maine is Under a State of Civil Emergency Due to Flooding

Governor Janet Mills has declared a state of civil emergency for Maine's coastal communities that have been devastated by flooding.

Which Counties are Covered by the Declaration?

The communities covered by the declaration include:

• Cumberland
• Hancock
• Knox
• Lincoln
• Sagadahoc
• Waldo
• Washington
• York

Each of these counties was significantly impacted by flooding and infrastructure damage as a result of rain, high winds, and a snowstorm that battered the state this week. Other counties will receive aid from the state, but these counties suffered the most damage.

What Does This Mean?

The reason for the State of Civil Emergency is that it makes available all State of Maine resources to assist and support response and recovery efforts, and to prepare for another storm that's due to hit on Saturday. This declaration puts Maine in the position to seek Federal disaster support funds.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, is already working to assess the damage from the last couple of storms. This includes an aerial survey that began on Thursday conducted by the Maine Department of Marine Resources, with the support of the Maine Forest Service, to document damages.

How Do We Report Damages and Find More Information?

The Maine Emergency Management Agency and Department of Marine Resources are urging 'individuals of private industry and privately owned commercial infrastructure' who sustained property damage from the January 10th storm, including to wharves, floats, vessels, etc. to document and report that damage by filling out the Business and Agriculture Initial Damage Assessment Survey online. While this is not a request for financial assistance, it will help the State of Maine better grasp the scope of damage.

People who sustained damage to their private residence are encouraged to report their damage information to 211 Maine or by filling out the Individual & Households Initial Damage Assessment Survey online. Again, this is not an application for or a guarantee of assistance.

In addition, Governor Mills has launched the Maine Flood Resources and Assistance Hub online, which provides more information, resources, and assistance to Maine residents impacted by the storms.