Following Letter from Collins, King, Pingree, and Poliquin, President Issues Disaster Declaration for State of Maine

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) today welcomed the announcement that President Trump has approved a federal Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Maine to recover from the severe storm that affected the state in October.  Last month, Maine’s Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the president in support of Maine’s request. 

“The intense storm system that affected Maine in late October resulted in power outages for approximately 90 percent of the population and caused extensive damage throughout the state,” said Senators Collins and King and Representatives Pingree and Poliquin.  “The release of disaster relief funds to help repair damage caused by the storm is good news for the State of Maine and residents who were affected by this severe weather.”

In their letter to President Trump in early December, Senators Collins and King and Representatives Pingree and Poliquin commended emergency responders and volunteers who “worked around-the-clock for days to restore power, clear debris, establish shelters, and ensure the availability of life-saving services for the people of Maine.”  They also noted, however, that the response effort “greatly strained the financial resources of local and state governments,” necessitating federal disaster assistance. 

As a result of the disaster declaration, 13 Maine counties (Cumberland, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo, and York) are eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, which provides assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent restoration of infrastructure.

In addition, all areas in the state are eligible for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs, which support measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property from future disasters.