Storm Preparedness Resources

Your family may not be together when an emergency happens, so it is important to plan in advance how you will contact one another and how you will get back together.

Download emergency contact cards and plans and fill them out with your family

FEMA's Ready.gov: Family Emergency Plans for Kids and Parents Prepare yourself and your family for a disaster by making an emergency plan. Download the Family Communication Plan for Parents and Kids, print the pages and fill them in offline.

American Red Cross: Family Emergency Contact Cards Print out a card for every member of your household. Fill in a card for each family member with emergency contact information (work, school and cell phone numbers etc.) Fold to fit in pocket, wallet or purse and carry card in case of any emergency.

Let someone know you're okay, or check on a loved one

American Red Cross; Safe and Well (safeandwell.org) An Internet-based tool where people within a disaster affected area can register themselves as "safe and well" and concerned family and friends can search for messages posted by those who have registered. Share the site with your family including phone number 1-866-GET-INFO to register if no Internet access.

Get emergency information on your smartphone

American Red Cross Mobile Apps These mobile apps are for emergencies and everyday use. The "Emergency" "all-inclusive" app lets you receive more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts, to help keep you and your loved ones safe. For Apple or Android.

FEMA: Download Mobile App From this page you can download FEMA's mobile app for Android, Apple or Blackberry mobile devices. Features timely weather alerts you can customize for your area, as well as preparedness and other information.

Find a wealth of resources from these partners

American Red Cross: Prepare for Emergencies Become "Red Cross Ready" for an emergency means following simple steps in advance to ensure you can weather a crisis safely and comfortably.

FEMA's Ready.gov A wealth of information for emergency planning and safety for families, businesses and more.

FEMA's Ready.gov: Emergency Planning Checklists Includes family emergency plans, communications plans, pet emergency plans and more. Create plans with your family and make sure everyone has a copy.

US CDC: Emergency Preparedness and You You can take steps now to help you prepare for an emergency and cope if an emergency happens. To help you prepare, CDC has provided step-by-step actions you can take beforehand to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Legislative Council to Consider New Bills for 2020

For the 129th Legislature’s Second Regular session beginning in January of next year, here is a Preliminary List of Second Regular Session Working Titles of Precloture Legislator Bills Sorted By SUBJECT

Foliage Report for October 16, 2019

Peak Conditions Still Visible Along the Immediate Coast

AUGUSTA, Maine - This last of the 2019 fall foliage reports from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry reports peak and past-peak conditions throughout most of Maine, with coastal regions (zones 1 and 2) reporting high color (less than 70 percent color change).

"A nor'easter is heading our way tonight and tomorrow which has the potential to strip the trees of their leaves. However, for those of you who are adventurous and still want to catch a glimpse of the fall colors, a hike in and around the blueberry fields in Downeast Maine is a must-see," noted Gale Ross, fall foliage spokesperson. If you havent seen the blueberry fields ablaze with the fall colors, you will not be disappointed, added Ross.

For foodies looking for a unique experience, Portlands annual food and spirits festival, Harvest on the Harbor, will kick off Thursday and continue throughout the weekend. Events include the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition, Straight Up! Boozy Bash, a Bloody Mary & Roast Pork Breakfast Taco Brunch, Oysterfest and more.

Maines unique fall festivals continue with Yorks 35th Annual Harvestfest & Kidsfest on October 19. The festival features live music, local food vendors, juried crafters and old-fashioned market vendors from all over New England. Children can look forward to games, a roaming railroad, storytelling, face painting and horse-drawn wagon rides.

This Sunday, visitors in Downeast will be leaf peeping as they run a marathon, half-marathon or relay, or as a spectator as part of the award-winning Mount Desert Island Marathon.

If youre not ready to bid farewell to foliage season, OgunquitFest is next week from October 25-27. On Friday, there is trick or treating at downtown shops, and on Saturday, an Autumn Bazaar, whoopie pie-eating contest and ghostly tours. For even spookier Halloween fun, check out Fright at the Fort at Fort Knox in Prospect.

Catch the foliage along the coast by heading to Boothbay to explore the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens featuring ornamental gardens, waterfalls, stonework and sculptures. For a more adventurous take on leaf peeping, try your hand at rail cycling or even rock climbing with opportunities in the MidCoast region.

Autumn enthusiasts can visit the state's official foliage website at www.mainefoliage.com to sign up to receive weekly reports by email, and can share their photos from throughout the state as the progression of color begins. Our Facebook page will include statewide events taking place throughout the foliage season, and our Instagram account (@mainefoliage) will also feature colorful fall shots. For more information about fall activities and events in Maine, go to www.visitmaine.com.

Upcoming Referendum Election

SAVE THE DATE: Referendum Election - November 5, 2019

Referendum Elections are held to provide Maine’s citizens an opportunity to vote on People’s Veto Referenda, Direct Initiatives of Legislation (i.e. Citizen Initiatives), Bond Issues, other referenda proposed by the Legislature, and Constitutional Amendments.  Referendum elections are an important part of the heritage of public participation in Maine.

Questions Appearing on the November 5, 2019 Ballot

Question 1:  Bond Issue An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Improve Highways, Bridges and Multimodal Facilities Public Law Chapter 532

Do you favor a $105,000,000 bond issue to build or improve roads, bridges, railroads, airports, transit and ports and make other transportation investments, to be used to match an estimated $137,000,000 in federal and other funds?

Question 2:  Constitutional Amendment

RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine Concerning Alternative Signatures Made by Persons with Disabilities Constitutional Resolution Chapter 1

Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to allow persons with disabilities to sign petitions in an alternative manner as authorized by the Legislature?

Maine Citizen's Guide to the Referendum Election

Citizen's Guide - pdf Citizen's Guide - word