Gov. Janet Mills expressed gratitude for the support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency as they established a disaster recovery center in Skowhegan to aid those affected in central Maine by the recent December rain
and windstorm.
This marks the first instance since 2008 that Maine has qualified for individual assistance, distinct from the federal funds typically allocated for public infrastructure like roads and bridges.
The December storm claimed the lives of four individuals and left over 400,000 Maine residents without power for days. The devastation included flooded downtown areas, washed-out roads and fallen trees, prompting Mills to seek federal aid for five counties: Kennebec, Franklin, Somerset, Androscoggin and Oxford.
FEMA opened assistance centers in Skowhegan and Rumford, with plans for additional centers in Lewiston, Kennebec County and Franklin County. These centers, alongside FEMA outreach teams visiting affected households, aim to streamline the assistance process.
Mills emphasized in an interview with Spectrum News that both individuals and businesses are eligible to apply for aid at these centers, urging impacted residents not to hesitate in seeking help.
Will Roy, FEMA's federal coordinating officer, outlined the application timeline, stressing that affected individuals have 60 days to apply for assistance, with the deadline falling on April 1. Already, FEMA officials have dispersed $500,000 in aid to Maine residents, with an estimated 3,300 individuals expected to receive assistance based on current data.
To facilitate access to assistance, FEMA has provided a toll-free hotline (800-621-3362), and the recovery centers in Skowhegan and Rumford are open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through April 1. Similar centers in Lewiston, Kennebec County, and Franklin County are slated to open soon.
Information gathered from Spectrum News article. Read the original article at spectrumlocalnews.com/me/maine/news/2024/02/06/mema-fema-disaster-flooding
