MAINE, Maine — Mainers were still dealing with downed limbs from last week’s nor’easter on Friday—a spring event that surprised many after multiple storms tore through Maine this past winter.
FEMA reminded residents that time was running out to file for assistance with debris from January’s storms federally declared a disaster.
The storms in question happened between January 9-13. President Joe Biden officially declared the storms a disaster on March 21, meaning a 60-day application window closes on May 20.
FEMA spokesperson Deanna Frazier said the agency can’t help with tree limbs that are simply down in someone’s yard, but if they are a safety risk, landowners might be able to get federal relief.
"Let’s say that you have a private road that goes to your property, but it also goes to some other properties and you cannot get a firetruck down that road...FEMA may be able to help with the cost of removing that tree," Frazier explained.
She elaborated that debris is not exclusive to trees, but can include household materials like carpeting and drywall, things that could be removed from a home during storm cleanup.
As for the multiple yards littered with debris from the recent nor'easter, Frazier said residents should contact their insurance company first to see if they’ll cover tree and brush removal; then reach out to their local municipality to find out where they might accept debris.