Maine’s Secretary of State Shenna Bellows With President Biden Beside Her at the White House for a Women’s History Month Celebration on Wednesday.  She is the First Woman to Hold the Position. in Maine..

Governor Janet T. Mills (D), and Maine’s Congressional Delegation ammounced today that President Biden has approved the State of Maine’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for several Maine counties in the wake of last December’s severe winter storm that battered the state.

Governor Mills requested the Declaration and the Congressional Delegation urged the President to expeditiously approve the request in a letter of support.

The President approved the Disaster Declaration for Fanklin, Knox, Oxford, Somerset, Wells and York counties, which unlocks Federal assistance through the Public Assistance (PA) Program.  The PA Program provides supplemental grants to State, local and Tribal governments so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.

The Disaster Declaration also unlocks Federal funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the entire State of Maine.  The Hazard Mitigation Grant, Program provides funding to State, local and Tribal government so they can develop hazard midtigation plans and rebuild in a way that reduces, or mitigates future disaster losses in their communities.

High winds and significant rainfall during the December storm led to substantial flooding extensive road washouts and closures, widespread power outages and infrastructure damage that are beyond the State’s capabiity to address.

“We are pleased the President has approved the State’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration,” said Governor Mills and Maine’s Congressional Delegation in a joint statement.  “This critical Federal funding will go a long way to help communities that were hard hit by December’s storm to rebuild and repair important infrastructure without local taxpayers having to bear the burden of the significant costs associated with it.”