Governor Janet Mills declared a State of Civil Emergency for 14 Maine counties after a storm that left hundreds of thousands of people without power and that caused significant flooding and infrastructure damage, including to the state’s federal aid highways.
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The Proclamation of a State of Civil Emergency declared for Androscoggin, Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo and Washington Counties mobilizes all State of Maine resources to assist and support response and recovery efforts and positions the State to seek Federal disaster support in the coming weeks.
The 14 counties were selected to target assistance to the areas hardest hit, though the State stands ready to assist all counties in need.
Governor Mills has also spoken with the President and CEO of CMP, Joe Purington, and the President of Versant Power, John Flynn, to receive updates about their power restoration efforts and to offer State support where needed.
The Maine Department of Transportation is also working to clear roadways of debris, assess damage, and begin repair efforts while Maine Emergency Management Agency continues to coordinate resource requests with county emergency management officials.
In addition to further mobilizing State resources, the State of Civil Emergency strengthens Maine’s ability to seek Federal financial assistance through a Federal Disaster Declaration.
In the coming days, Maine Emergency Management Agency will work with county emergency management officials to assess infrastructure damage.
If that damage meets the financial statutory threshold exceeding the State’s ability to respond, Governor Mills said she will seek a Federal Disaster Declaration.
Meanwhile, MaineDOT will also work with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to assess the damages on the state’s federal-aid highways and seek Federal financial assistance through FHWA under applicable sections of Title 23, U.S.C.
If Maine people need emergency assistance, they should dial 911. If Maine people need non-emergency assistance, like information about where to find a warming or charging center, they should call 211, or text their zip code to 898-211. ■