Maine Gov. Janet Mills announced Tuesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin assessing recent storm damages throughout Maine to determine whether the state qualifies for federal disaster relief.
“If from these assessments FEMA agrees that the costs associated with the storm are beyond the capabilities of the State to address, the Governor will formally request a Major Disaster Declaration from the President,” the Mills Administration said in a press release.
If FEMA can determine that the state is incapable of dealing with the aftermath of the recent storm, which left half of Maine without power, Maine will qualify for a major disaster declaration from the president.
As of Wednesday morning, hundreds of Mainers were still without electricity following the deadly storm on Dec. 18.
Mills urged Mainers to report their damages to aid in the assessment, so that the state can record all of its damages and receive the maximum amount of federal aid.
Mainers can report their property damage over the phone by calling 2-1-1.
Mills was careful to point out that reporting property damage to the state is in no way an application for state or federal assistance.
Individuals must apply for aid through their insurance companies as usual if they want reimbursement for storm damages.
In the days following the storm, Mills was criticized by members of the media for remaining silent more than 36 hours after the widespread power outages began.
Mal Meyer of WGME even observed that Mills communications staffer, Ben Goodman, was posting to X about Cadbury Cream eggs even as the governor had yet to hold a press conference or declare a state of emergency.
Federal aid could have been acquired much more quickly if Mills had issued a preemptive request to the president for an emergency declaration, as she did in preparation for the far less destructive Hurricane Lee.
The president approved that request before Lee hit Maine.
Mills issued a declaration of emergency long after the storm had largely subsided.
The recent storm claimed the lives of four Mainers.
[RELATED: Maine Women Who Went Missing During This Week’s Storm Found Dead…]
Mills attempted to defend her lack of preparation for the recent storm by claiming that she received no warning from the National Weather Service (NWS) about high winds or heavy rain.
The NWS issued a statement showing that Mills misrepresented the services early and numerous warnings about the threat the storms posed.
[RELATED: National Weather Service Strongly Suggests Janet Mills Lied About Storm Warnings…]
The NWS warned Mills and local leaders at least three days in advance about the potential for high winds and flooding.
“NWS forecasters informed local and state officials in the days leading up to the storm through daily email briefing packages, direct phone conversations, and virtual city and statewide briefings,” said the NWS.
Mills has not commented on the stinging rebuke from the NWS.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="24181 https://www.themainewire.com/?p=24181">6 Comments
…….”Mills has not commented on the stinging rebuke from the NWS”……
Fools do NOT ever respond when they have been called out for the egg on their faces
You’ve got it backwards. “the media” is bored, wants an issue.
Comrade Mills and her lackey supporters are such losers!
Let’s go Mills!
The hired out line men just fixed 2 pols on rt 9 which have been leaning over since ( years ago). Well it will be put on Joes check. Good.
Can we blame it on Trump as it did not happen this past storm. But our senator would not know he still trying to figure out what an independent is
Angus, head down down to Texas to hand out food stamps —Joe needs help he is on vacation in the Carabin and Blinken is waving to the mob coming north. By the way were is the “Boarder Zar”
What a way to run a country?
And they are asking for help –Did you see all the cell phones in their hands Angus?
Joe I paid my taxes did your Son pay his?
What do want Mills, the Democratic Independent and Joe are all layers not real men or woman of science–entropy and enthalopy mean nothing to them