ADVISORY: Severe Weather Emergency Preparedness, Storm Cleanup Tips and Reminders

Damaging, heavy winds and rains are expected overnight 11/30/2020. Local emergency officials are monitoring the storm. Please refer to these resources for emergency preparedness and support. 

Maine.Gov Alerts

• Subscribe to Maine.gov Citizen System for storm warnings/bulletins and other urgent or emergency updates.

FEMA and MEMA

• MEMA County and Local Emergency Management Contacts
• MEMA Social Media Updates
• FEMA Business Tips https://www.ready.gov/business
• MEMA Preparedness Library

Small Business Administration (SBA)

• Business Preparation Tips - guidance and support, before and after emergency events.

UMaine Cooperative Extension Resources

• UMaine Emergency Response Tips
• EDEN Extension Disaster Education Network
• Emergency Preparedness Series: Food Safety During Power Outage
• Emergency Preparedness Series: Dairy operations

Other Resources

• NOAA Storm Tracking and Updates
• USDA Maine Farm Service (FSA) Office
• Maine Bureau of Insurance Guide for Farms

Smart, Safe Storm Cleanup Tips and Reminders

Everyone involved in storm cleanup can help keep Maine's forests healthy. After power and other utilities have been restored, property owners will be faced with the issue of what to do with storm-damaged trees. 

Project Canopy guidance for home- and property owners about what to do with downed trees and limbs: 

• Trees and branches on homes and around power lines ⁠— Homeowners need to find immediate solutions for trees and branches on their homes. Branches and trees on power lines should be dealt with by calling local power companies. Even if a hanging limb is clear of power and utility wires, homeowners should rely on professionals to assess the damage's severity before trying to repair or remove the branch.
• Injured trees requiring climbing or chainsaw work⁠ — Call a licensed arborist for help. Arborists are tree care professionals who are trained to assess and correct storm-damaged trees. They also have the experience needed to diagnose how much of a tree can or should be saved. Homeowners should be wary of those offering fly-by-night, emergency tree-cutting services. Always ask for proof of licensing, insurance, and work references.

Project Canopy is Maine's urban and community forestry program.

Reduce the Spread of Invasive Pests in Storm Debris

Woody debris created by storm damage may harbor insects or diseases harmful to our forests. Moving debris long distances can spread pests to new areas. Be aware that there are rules, known as quarantines, that impact transport of some woody storm debris:

• Movement of Pine (Pinus spp.) from parts of Maine within the Pine Shoot Beetle quarantine to Washington and Aroostook Counties.
• Movement of ash (Fraxinus spp.) from areas within the Emerald Ash Borer Regulated Area. The restriction in this case extends to mixed hardwood chips.
• Movement of Larch (Larix spp., Pseudolarix spp.) from areas within the European Larch Canker quarantine.
• Movement of Hemlock (Tsuga spp.) branch/top material from areas within the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid quarantine.

Learn more about quarantines that affect woody storm debris 

Report damage from an invasive insect such as emerald ash borer or Asian longhorned beetle.  

Heed All COVID-19 Health Warnings

• Practice physical distancing: Stay at least six feet away from other people who do not live in your household. 
• Wear a mask: When you're in the vicinity of others, even with six feet of separation, a mask will help keep everyone safer.
• Refer to Maine CDC's latest COVID-19 information.