AUGUSTA, Maine — Editor's note: The video above was published on Dec. 27, 2023.
Gov. Janet Mills announced Tuesday that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials have arrived in Maine to evaluate the damage that last month's storm brought to the state.
Following the Dec. 18 storm, which brought severe wind, rain, and flooding to parts of the state, the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) asked FEMA to begin a Preliminary Damage Assessment, which is the first formal step toward requesting a Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government, Mills' office said Tuesday in a news release. FEMA approved the request last week.
On Tuesday, officials with MEMA and FEMA began traveling across the state to review and validate damage assessments that were gathered by local emergency management officials, according to the release.
"If FEMA, as expected, agrees that costs associated with the storm are beyond the capabilities of the state to address, Governor Mills will request a Major Disaster Declaration from President Biden," the release stated.
"I thank FEMA for quickly fulfilling my request to dispatch officials to Maine. FEMA’s assessment will be critical to unlocking Federal funds to help Maine communities clean up and rebuild after last month’s devastating storm," Mills said in the release. "I continue to urge impacted Maine people to report any property damage to 211 to help State of Maine and Federal officials measure the full impact of the storm and help us access Federal benefits."
Mainers impacted by the storm can look to the online Maine Flood Resources and Assistance Hub that was created by the Mills Administration last week. The website "aggregates information, resources, and assistance for Maine people impacted by flooding and damages caused by the storm," the release said.
To view the website, click here. Mills' office said it will be continually updated as more resources become available.