Agencies urge resident preparedness as hurricane season ramps up

By Ed Pierce

With Hurricane Erin lining up for an approach to striking somewhere along the east coast of the United States next week, Mainers are being asked to prepare in the event an Atlantic hurricane takes a turn for the Pine Tree State during the remainder of hurricane season which ends in November.

In August 2020, Hurricane Isaias bears down on the New
England coast. Remnants of the storm struck the Lakes
Region with 45 mph winds, power outages and trees
knocked down. State officials are asking residents to
create an emergency plan in the event a hurricane hits
Maine this season. COURTESY PHOTO NOAA   

This year, the hurricane outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts the possibility of 13 to 18 named storms, with five to nine becoming hurricanes, and one to four of them powering into major hurricanes with winds greater than 110 mph. The normal Atlantic Hurricane Season has about 14 named storms, with about seven storms becoming hurricanes, and three of them major hurricanes.

Maine typically doesn't see many hurricanes, but in 2011 Hurricane Irene, which had been downgraded to a tropical storm, resulted in a disaster declaration for the state. In August 2020, the remnants of Hurricane Isaias blasted through Maine, and the Sebago Lake Region was one of the locations hardest hit with trees knocked down, power outages and six moored boats being beached in estimated 45 mph winds produced by the storm.

Over decades, several hurricanes have severely impacted Maine. Hurricane Edna in 1954 created $7 million in damage statewide. Also in 1954, Hurricane Carol left behind $5 million in storm-related damage. Hurricane Bob in 1991 caused $5.5 million worth of damage in Maine. Two other significant storms, Hurricane Donna in 1960, and Hurricane Gloria in 1985 also created significant problems for Mainers.

In the event a hurricane or tropical storm takes aim at Maine again this summer and fall, Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency (CCEMA) recommend some simple steps to be taken now to be prepared if it should bear down on Maine:

MEMA encourages everyone to take inventory of existing supplies in their homes and vehicles, replace or update any expired materials, obtain supplies that are essential in the event of a hurricane, and discuss emergency plans with household members.

“When any storm with strong winds hits Maine, the real danger is trees toppling onto buildings, cars, and powerlines,” said MEMA Director Pete Rogers. “Our power grid is especially vulnerable, and any damage could ripple through our state. Maine residents need to make plans well ahead of any storm to prepare for long power outages.”

He suggests that because hurricane impacts can be felt hundreds of miles inland, Maine families should create an emergency plan to decide how you will leave and where you will go if you are advised to evacuate. Those sites could include a friend’s home in another town or a hotel. Choose destinations in different directions so that you have options during an emergency and if needed, identify a place to stay or the nearest evacuation center that will accept pets. Some emergency shelters only allow service animals.

Rogers advises to assemble supplies that are ready to go in the event of an evacuation. Prepare a “go-bag” you can carry when you evacuate on foot or public transportation and supplies for traveling longer distances if you have a car.

Supplies should include one gallon of water per person per day to last for three days, non-perishable food that does not require cooking, a manual can opener, medications, and a small amount of cash for when you need to purchase necessary supplies, fuel, or food.

Cell phones and other electronic devices should be charged in advance of a storm as power could be out for hours and days if a storm strikes Maine.

Pertinent financial and critical personal, household, and medical information should be stored along with other important documents either in a safety deposit box, an external drive, or on the cloud online to make it easy to access during a disaster.

It’s also helpful to review your homeowner’s insurance policy prior to a natural disaster.

MEMA recommends bringing in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down that could become damage-causing projectiles during high winds.

Cumberland County EMA recommends keeping a full tank of gas if an evacuation could be a possibility. It’s also helpful to keep an emergency kit in your car. Some emergency kit supplies could include jumper cables, flares or reflective triangles, cell phone charger, blanket, map, snacks and bottled water.

Additional hurricane preparedness and safety information tips are available by visiting MainePrepares.com or visit MEMA on Facebook, X, and Nextdoor. <