MAINE, USA — Gov. Janet Mills has declared a state of civil emergency for Maine following heavy storm damages felt across the state on Monday, leaving hundreds of thousands of Mainers without power and restoration efforts expected across the next several days.
In a news release Tuesday, the governor's office announced the emergency order was declared for Androscoggin, Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington Counties.
The order will allow the state "resources to assist and support response and recovery efforts and positions the State to seek Federal disaster support in the coming weeks," and aims to provide aid to the hardest-hit counties.
Mills said if assessed infrastructure damage exceeds the state's threshold to respond, the governor will reportedly seek a federal disaster declaration.
"My Administration has been in close and constant communication with local and Federal officials throughout this storm, and I have been briefed by the Director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency as well as the Commissioners of the Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, and others on our coordinated response efforts," Mills said in the release.
"Since the beginning of this storm, I have told my Administration to assist and support local officials wherever needed to help Maine people respond and stay safe. My Administration has been and will continue to work around the clock, in partnership with local public safety officials, county emergency management personnel, and CMP and Versant to clear debris from roads, to assess and repair damage caused by flood waters, and to restore power to Maine people as soon as possible," Mills added. "This declaration of civil emergency formalizes our all-hands-on-deck approach and ensures that every State resource is available to towns across Maine that need assistance. For example, helicopters from the Maine Forest Service are conducting general aerial assessments and helping CMP survey damage to the electricity grid so that power can be restored more quickly."
As of Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of thousands of Mainers remain without power, and residents continue to contend with road closures amid debris, washouts, and flooding concerns. Many schools and businesses that closed Monday stayed closed or posted delays Tuesday.
Mainers are reminded to use caution amid dangerous storm conditions and stay off the roads as much as possible. Those who require emergency assistance are advised to call 911. If you are in need of non-emergency assistance, you are asked to call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211.
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