Governor Janet T. MIlls (D), the first woman governor of Maine and its first woman AG, , announced yesterday that officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have arrived in Maine to evaluate and validate damage from last month’s severe wind, rain and flooding.

In the wake of the December 18 wind and rain storm, Governor Mills asked FEMA to dispatch officials to Maine to conduct a Preliminary Damage Assessment –    the first formal step toward requeting a Maine Disaster Declaration from the Federal governmet.  Last week, FEMA approved the Governor’s request.

Beginning yesterday FEMA and Maine Emergency Management (MEMA) officials are traveling across Maine to review and validate damage assessments gathered by local emergency management officials.  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.

“I thank FEMA for quickly fulfilling my request to dispatch officials to Maine.  FEMA’s assesment will be critical to unlocking Federal funds to help Maine communities clean up and rebuild after last month’s devastating storm,” said Governor Mills.  “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.”

For more background information on the subject, please visit post herein dated December 26, 2023.