Governor John E. Baldacci learned President Obama has signed a disaster declaration for eight Maine counties for heavy rain, hail, damaging winds, flooding, erosion and landslides that struck the state between June 18 and July 8. Counties designated were Franklin, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington.
Governor Baldacci sought the declaration, which will provide federal support to repair damaged public infrastructure in the counties, on July 14. The granting of public assistance enables the state and affected local governments to be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for 75 percent of the cost of repairing roads, bridges and other public property. The declaration also makes all counties in the state eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
“Maine suffered significant damage, caused by a month of heavy rains, erosion and landslides,” Gov. Baldacci said. “Many communities have faced significant hardships as they have worked to make repairs. The federal assistance granted today will help them rebuild.”
In the Governor’s letter requesting federal assistance, damage in the eight counties was estimated at more than $2.5 million.
“State and local budgets, already adversely affected by a nationwide recession have been exhausted by the convergent effects of seven major disasters since May of 2006. Several communities tell us they have verified damages well above their entire road maintenance budget,” Gov. Baldacci wrote in his letter to FEMA.
A Federal-state team has also found significant damage in Piscataquis County. The Governor plans to request that Piscataquis be added to the list of counties eligible for assistance.
