Today U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME), and U.S. Representatives Tom Allen (D-ME) and Mike Michaud (D-ME) urged President Bush to urgently approve Governor Baldacci’s request for federal disaster assistance on behalf of thirteen counties in Maine severely impacted by the Patriot’s Day storm.
“With more than 150,000 people still without power and more than $12 million in infrastructure damage to our state, it is clear that Maine’s state and local resources have been depleted by this terrible storm and we are desperately in need of help,” said Snowe, Collins, Allen, and Michaud in a joint statement. “It is imperative that the federal government heeds Governor Baldacci’s request and quickly provides the necessary tools and resources our state needs to begin rebuilding the many homes, businesses, and communities ravaged by this storm.”
Following is full text of the letter:
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
We are writing to express our support for a request that Governor John Baldacci is submitting for federal disaster assistance on behalf of our home state of Maine as a result of winter weather conditions, severe rain storms, astronomical high tides, storm surge, inland and coastal flooding, and high winds that struck the state beginning on April 13, 2007.
The state estimates that, currently, there is in excess of $12 million in infrastructure damage, several hundred homes damaged by flooding and winds, and four deaths have so far been caused by the storm. The Governor reports that damage-related figures are “increasing incrementally as more communities report their damages”.
The storm has also left over 150,000 people without power at this time, particularly in and around – although not limited to – Portland, Brunswick, Rockland, Bridgton, York County, and coastal Lincoln County. Flooding has caused concerns about dams in York County and severe flooding has affected communities in Cumberland and York Counties especially, as well as coastal Lincoln County. The Governor has determined that the impact of this event is such that “effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and the affected local governments and that supplementary Federal assistance is necessary.” Clearly, federal assistance will be necessary for Maine to recover from the extensive damages.
We strongly urge you to carefully consider and rapidly approve Governor Baldacci’s request for declaration of a major disaster for York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, Waldo, Hancock, Washington, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Oxford, Franklin, and Somerset Counties in the State of Maine. We are certain you will agree, this treacherous weather event calls for the federal government’s rapid assistance to allow families and businesses in these areas of Maine to begin recovery efforts immediately.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to your response to this critical matter.
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