MEMA & Governor Mills Are Encouraging Maine Residents to Prepare for Hurricane Lee

Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and Governor Mills urge the people of Maine to prepare for Hurricane Lee before it possibly touches down in Maine Friday evening or early Saturday.

Severe storm and inland flooding - Saco, Maine 2007.Photo byNara.getarchive

NOTE: Some of this content was paraphrased by AI.

They understand Mainers are not used to hurricanes, with the possible exception of the snowbirds who winter in Florida, but they hope everyone takes the possibility seriously and prepares.

It’s like they say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Safety officials across Maine, including MEMA, are watching the hurricane’s path as it nears Maine. MEMA is coordinating and cooperating with other State transportation and public safety officials, Maine utilities, and local and Federal emergency management authorities ahead of the storm.

MEMA and its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) are in an upgraded monitoring status.

Also, the Gray and Caribou offices of the National Weather Service are coordinating with the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The NHC reports that Maine most likely will experience the impact of Hurricane Lee by Friday night, continuing into Saturday morning, as the storm’s radius is widening. There are concerns about a westward shift of the storm’s track.

According to the latest predictions, it is anticipated that the storm will gradually lose intensity, diminishing to a Category 1 storm before eventually transitioning into a tropical storm as it reaches land. The arrival of this storm brings the potential for various impacts, including tropical storm-force winds, coastal flooding, and high surf, as well as riverine flooding.

Central Maine Power (CMP) has expressed concerns regarding the well-being of Maine's trees in the aftermath of the significant rainfall experienced this summer and the resultant effects on the electric grid during the recent storm. The excessive rainfall has resulted in soil saturation, flooding, and nutrient runoff, inevitably leading to compromised root systems, which, in turn, could weaken or rot the trees. CMP has highlighted the potential consequences for the power grid in Maine, anticipating exacerbated impacts should Hurricane Lee's trajectory and the strength of its winds result in increased instances of fallen trees or broken limbs.

Governor Janet Mills said, “We are tracking the storm's path and coordinating with Federal and local partners to prepare for its arrival. We urge Maine people to exercise caution and to take common-sense steps to ensure they have all they need to stay safe as the storm draws closer moving into the weekend.”

“The track of Lee is still unknown, but we want folks to pay attention to this storm through the weekend,” said Peter Rogers, Director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency. “MEMA is working with state, federal, non-profit, and private sector partners to assess resources and ensure readiness in advance of the storm. We want everyone to stay safe and please check in on your neighbors.”

To prepare for the storm, MEMA recommends:

✅ It is crucial to ensure that your emergency kit is comprehensive and well-prepared to sustain you for several days during a power outage. This includes including essential supplies such as food, water, and hand sanitizer. Additionally, it is essential to consider any necessary medications, pet food, or other special needs that you or your loved ones may have. By being proactive and considering these crucial items, you can greatly enhance your preparedness and ensure the safety and well-being of yourself and those around you.

📱 Stay up-to-date with the most recent alerts and warnings right from your smartphone. By downloading either the FEMA or National Weather Service app, you can easily access these updates. Leave worries behind and rely on these free applications to keep you informed and prepared.

🚨 To ensure effective communication of emergency alerts, it is important to ensure that cell phones are equipped to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts from the National Weather Service. These alerts are crucial to inform individuals about various emergency situations, such as flash flooding. By enabling this functionality on cell phones, individuals can stay informed and take appropriate actions to ensure their safety during such events.

🔋 Charge your electronic devices, including cell phones.

🚙 Select alternate evacuation routes should they become necessary.

🏠 Please ensure that outdoor furniture, decorations, and loose items are brought indoors. This includes items such as garbage cans and anything that is not securely fastened or tied down.

⛽️ If you have a generator, be sure it is properly installed, top off the fuel, and check to ensure it works properly.

Preparations for mariners:

🌧 Mariners should listen to weather forecasts and plan ahead.

🌊 To ensure the safety of Mariners, it is advisable to reconsider the current plans and make necessary adjustments to avoid potentially hazardous conditions. It is recommended to stay in port until the conditions improve or alternatively seek out a safe harbor to take shelter. Another viable option is to alter the vessel's course to avoid severe wind and waves. Additionally, it is crucial to take extra precautions and secure the vessel to minimize the risk of damage.

🛥️ Haul out your boat if possible and secure it or add additional lines before the storm makes landfall.

🚨 Secure electronic position indicating radio beacons. If unsecured, an EPIRB can break free from a boat and trigger an emergency signal to the Coast Guard.

🛥️ Contact local marinas to ask for advice about securing a vessel.

🛥️ Ensure your boat’s gear is stowed properly or tied down to prevent equipment from being blown away. This can cause unnecessary search and rescue missions by first responders and Coast Guard personnel. Life rafts, life jackets, and small vessels are often found adrift after severe storms like hurricanes.

🏊It is highly important for individuals planning to visit the beach to pay close attention to the advice given by local lifeguards and weather services in relation to an upcoming storm. Prior to the storm reaching land, it is common for wave heights and currents to intensify. This escalation in conditions can pose a significant risk even to experienced swimmers. It is crucial to recognize that tropical storms or hurricanes can generate powerful waves and rip currents, which can easily overpower even the most skilled swimmers.

🚣‍♀️ Ensure the proper labeling and securing of your paddle craft to prevent potential hazards during storms. Neglecting to secure your craft can result in it becoming loose and causing search and rescue missions. By properly labeling your gear and craft, search and rescue coordinators can swiftly assess if an individual is in distress and provide assistance accordingly.

To prepare for a power outage:

⚡️ Exploring Alternative Sources of Power: In preparation for power outages, it is prudent to devise plans for alternate power sources. These could include investing in batteries or exploring alternative methods to generate power. One recommended option is to procure a portable charger or power bank, which can prove invaluable during such times. Furthermore, households should make a point of equipping each member with a flashlight for their personal use. It is important to emphasize the necessity of never using a generator indoors. As a safety precaution, generators should always be operated in well-ventilated areas. This crucial reminder will help mitigate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and other potential hazards. By prioritizing these actions, individuals and households can effectively plan for unexpected power outages, ensuring the safety and convenience of everyone involved.

🎛️ Appliances: To safeguard your appliances and electronics from potential damage caused by electrical surges, it is advisable to disconnect them during times of heightened electrical instability. Additionally, a crucial step to ensure the safety of your household is the installation of carbon monoxide detectors equipped with battery backup. It is recommended to strategically place these detectors in central locations on every level of your home, as this will help mitigate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Following these measures, you proactively protect your home and its occupants from potential hazards.

🥫 Food Storage: It is important to ensure that freezers and refrigerators remain closed during power outages to maintain food temperatures. A refrigerator can keep food cold for approximately four hours, while a full freezer can maintain its temperature for around 48 hours. To ensure the safety of your food, it is advisable to monitor the temperatures using a thermometer. If the temperature reads 40 degrees or higher, it is recommended to discard the food to prevent any potential health risks.

💊 Know Your Medical Needs: If you depend on electricity for any medical necessities, it is essential to prepare a power outage strategy specifically tailored to medical devices and refrigerated medications. Take into consideration the duration for which medications can be safely stored at higher temperatures, and seek specific recommendations for any medications that are vital for maintaining life.

👌 Cleanup: After utilities are restored, you might face the issue of what to do with storm-damaged trees. Maine Forest Service offers tips and helpful guidance (https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts...) for those faced with questions about what to do with downed trees, limbs, and branches.

Atlantic Hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. Maine residents are encouraged to get familiar with the Hurricane Evacuation Dashboard (https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4fb...) on MEMA’s homepage.

For timely safety and preparedness information, find MEMA on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MaineEMA) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/MaineEMA) or visit www.Maine.gov/MEMA.

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About the author

Stephen Dalton is a native of Old Town, ME, and a retired US Army First Sergeant with a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland. He is a Certified US English Chicago Manual of Style Editor. Top Writer in Travel, Food, Fiction, Transportation, VR, NFL, Design, Creativity, Short Story, and a NewsBreak Community Voice Pro.