Mainers Unite to Champion Climate Preparedness: A Call to Action for a Sustainable Future

In May 2023, Jay Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere faced a sudden crisis when heavy floods hit her community. As the waters receded, a new challenge emerged: dealing with federal disaster assistance paperwork for the first time. “The paperwork is endless,” LaFreniere admitted.

As the town began to recover, another wave of violent thunderstorms struck on June 29. These storms dropped up to 5 inches of rain, swelling the Androscoggin River and flooding many areas. Over ten roads in Jay were severely damaged, isolating around 30 residents, some of whom had to wait months for repairs.

The total cost of the damage exceeded $4 million. By December 2023, LaFreniere found herself preparing another round of federal disaster assistance paperwork—the third time in less than eight months. Fortunately, the town’s public works director, knowledgeable in the FEMA disaster assistance process, was able to assist her. But many small towns in Maine lack such expertise. “Some communities give up, thinking it’s too overwhelming,” she said.

During this challenging time, Maine lawmakers gathered to discuss a bipartisan bill aimed at improving disaster preparedness. The proposed legislation would allocate millions to help fortify homes and local infrastructure against storms intensified by climate change.

Spearheaded by both Democratic and Republican leaders, the bill creates three key initiatives to enhance disaster resilience. It follows recommendations from a state climate resilience commission that included LaFreniere. Their recommendations highlight improved emergency communications and better federal assistance navigation for small communities.

The first initiative is the Home Resiliency Program, which will provide grants up to $15,000 for homeowners wishing to reinforce their roofs and floodproof their properties. The second initiative involves establishing a State Resilience Office to oversee storm damage prevention efforts, funded by a five-year federal grant.

The third initiative aims to bolster support for Maine’s Emergency Management Agency with a specialized fund. This fund encourages local governments to apply for federal aid, ensuring a more robust recovery system. In total, the bill proposes adding $10 million to help secure additional federal dollars and setting aside $800,000 for improved emergency communication systems.

Much of the discussion at the recent hearing focused on the Home Resiliency Program. The program intends to distribute the $15 million from license fees collected from insurance agents to help a broader range of homeowners. This could provide aid to over 1,000 residents, offering more significant support to those with lower incomes.

However, some industry representatives raised concerns over the future budgeting of this program, questioning if the bill adequately planned for sustainable funding. They worry about the ongoing costs involved and the potential impact on insurance rates.

Further discussions pointed out that while the bill had broad support, it didn’t explicitly mention county governments as eligible for assistance. County emergency managers advocated for the inclusion of counties in future drafts, stressing that all emergencies originate locally.

Senate President Mattie Daughtry emphasized the importance of strengthening Maine’s resilience initiatives, urging a shift from a reactive to a proactive approach. Her co-sponsor, House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, echoed this sentiment, recalling the severe impact storms had on coastal communities in his district.

While the new bill won’t prevent future storms, it aims to equip towns and homeowners with better resources to prepare for such events. The support from Maine lawmakers reflects a growing acknowledgment of the need for enhanced disaster preparedness in the face of climate change.

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