WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden today released a statement following the Biden Administration’s approval of the State of Maine’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the January 10 and 13 coastal storms. This declaration will release federal funds to help individuals and communities impacted by the storms in Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington, and York Counties recover.

In February, the Delegation wrote to President Biden urging him to support Governor Mills’ request for a Major Disaster Declaration to help address the estimated $70.3 million in damage that occurred across the eight counties during the storms.

“We are grateful the Administration approved Maine’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration — particularly by categorizing the two storms as a single event to expedite the process,” said the Maine Congressional Delegation. “This declaration will unlock critical federal funding so the counties impacted by the January storms can get back on their feet and start to rebuild.”

The approval of the Major Disaster Declaration unlocks Federal assistance through the Public Assistance (PA) and Individual Assistance (IA) Programs. The PA Program provides supplemental grants to State, local, and Tribal governments so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. The IA Program provides the same assistance to individuals and households.

The Disaster Declaration also unlocks Federal funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the entire State of Maine. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding to State, local, and Tribal and governments so they can develop hazard mitigation plans and rebuild in a way that reduces, or mitigates, future disaster losses in their communities.

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