FLOOD DISASTER RELIEF
The resources listed in this document are intended to help and support the flood victims and evacuees as well as others affected by the flooding.
AMERICAN RED CROSS
The American Red Cross is available for assistance in all disasters 24 hours a day. For help call the American Red Cross Information and Resource Center at 1-866-438-4636. The link below provides information for disaster victims after an emergency.
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_502_,00.html
ANIMAL SAFETY
Persons who are evacuated from their homes may place their pets with the Fort Kent Animal Hospital. For more information call 834-5077.
ALTERNATIVE HEAT SOURCE SAFETY
This link from Maine Prepares provides information on the safety of electric space heaters, wood burning stoves/heaters, kerosene heaters and other heat sources in the event of a power outage. http://www.maine.gov/mema/prepare/prep_display.shtml?id=29920
CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY
This link provides information on warning signs of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning and how to avoid Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning.
http://maine.gov/mema/prepare/prep_display.shtml?id=25971
The Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection is available to assist consumers who need information or help in contacting lenders to revise payment schedules or to discuss other actions that might ease their financial burden. If payments will be late, all customers are encouraged to contact their lenders as soon as possible. They are also urged to get in touch with the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation if they have questions or concerns. The Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection can be reached by calling toll-free
1-800-332-8529. The Bureau of Financial Institutions can be contacted by calling 1-800-965-5235.
http://www.maine.gov/pfr/consumercredit/index.shtml.
CLEAN-UP SAFETY
This link provides information on safety about chain saws, tree chippers, tree trimming and tree removal.
http://www.maine.gov/mema/prepare/prep_display.shtml?id=36610
CRISIS INTERVENTION
For assistance dealing with mental health issues please contact the statewide crisis hotline at
1-888-568-1112.
DRINKING WATER
The public drinking water has been testing for bacteria. All samples have passed. Residents can continue to use the public water.
- Fort Kent Town Office – Water test kits
- St. Francis Town Office – Water test kits
Once a water test kit has been filled with sample water, it must be tested within 24 hours. Residents will be instructed where to return the kits.
Individuals will be contacted if the water test kits indicate contamination, and receive instructions on disinfecting the well.
Maine CDC recommends that bottled water be used for drinking until the test results are received.
Questions about drinking water or for more information contact the Aroostook County EMA at 493-4328. Additional information on water testing can be found on the State Drinking Water Program website at: http://www.maine.gov/mema/prepare/prep_display.shtml?id=15015
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
For more information about environmental concerns, call Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection: 800-482-0777. http://www.maine.gov/dep/index.shtml
FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT PROCESS
When the floodwaters fully recede, federal, state and local officials will begin assessing the impact of flooding and arrive at an estimate of the cost of damages.
If the damages exceed thresholds set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the governor would ask President Bush to declare a major disaster. The request could seek two types of assistance – for individuals or for public property, such as highways and buildings.
The president acts on a major-disaster request after receiving a recommendation from FEMA. If the request is granted, the county qualifies for funding from the President’s Disaster Relief Fund.
Once a determination is made the Maine Emergency Management Agency will announce procedures for filing information about damages, including phone numbers, Internet addresses and other points of contact with disaster relief agencies.
For more information on emergency agencies and programs, go to www.fema.gov or www.maine.gov/mema
FLOODED OIL TANKS
For flooded oil tanks, call 800-482-077 to notify the Department of Environmental Protection. The link below lists all contacts and emergency numbers. http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/emergspillresp/emergencycontacts.htm
This link provides information on food safety for refrigerated foods.
http://www.maine.gov/mema/prepare/prep_display.shtml?id=36765
This link provides information on food safety for frozen and thawed foods.
http://www.maine.gov/mema/prepare/prep_display.shtml?id=36768
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL
To obtain more information about statewide health and human resources, Flood Victims and Evacuees are encouraged to dial 2-1-1 or visit the web at www.211maine.org.
MEMA (Maine Emergency Management Agency)
For information on flood insurance, private wells and mold, as well as tips on repairing damaged homes, call 1-800-452-8735 or www.maine.gov/mema
MOLD CONTROL
Information on basic mold cleanup, things you should know about mold, asthma and mold, floods/flooding, health and mold, indoor air regulation and mold, large buildings and mold, schools and mold and indoor air quality, and other mold related resources. http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html
RETURNING HOME: RECORD-KEEPING
Taking pictures is a very effective way of showing the damage to your property. If you need a camera, remember the disposable cameras you can buy in a grocery or drug store.
After an emergency, if you have had to leave your home or your home was damaged in any way, it is important to document all of the costs you have had.
Keep complete records of losses and disaster-related expenses even if you don't have insurance coverage. These are helpful in applying for State or federal aid that may become available and for allowable income tax deductions. Most disaster losses are deductible for income tax purposes.
Always take pictures of any damages. Photographs of damaged homes or objects are excellent evidence of the impact on your home or possessions.
Include records on the following:
- All actual losses, including furniture, clothes, paintings, artifacts, food, and equipment, even if you don't intend to replace them;
- All disaster-related expenses. This includes the additional cost of living, if any, for your family and you, such as motel and restaurant bills, temporary rental of cars or home rental;
- Clean-up expenses, rented equipment, and depreciation of equipment purchases;
- Restoration expenses, including all labor and material purchased and other costs to return your home to its prior condition.
- After completing your list of losses, have two or three of your neighbors sign the list as witnesses. Make sure they inspect all damaged material, so they can vouch for the list's accuracy.
- Try to document the value of each object lost. Include bills of sale, cancelled checks, charge account records or prior insurance evaluations. If you don't have these, estimate the value, purchase place, and date of purchase. Include this information with your list.
- After the clean up, make an inventory of your household and document it with pictures or receipts. Keep it in a safe deposit box or in another safe place away from the area.
ROAD CLOSURES
For information on road closures, dial 511 or visit www.511maine.gov.
SEWER SYSTEM & SEPTIC SYSTEM UPDATE
Waste water system is operating in Fort Kent but caution is advised.
This link from the United States Department of Environmental Protection provides information on septic systems and what to do after a flood.
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/emergency_septic.html
- Shelter is available at the Island Falls Town Office, 68 Houlton Road, Island Falls. More information is available by calling 463-2246.
- Shelter is available at the Mattawamkeag Town Office, 327 Main Street, Mattawamkeag. More information is available by calling 736-2464.
STATE OF MAINE
For up to date information on flood details visit http://www.maine.gov.
Persons wanting to volunteer should not report directly to the affected areas unless directed by a particular agency. MEMA offers the following guidelines for those who are reaching out to help flood-affected communities and families in Aroostook County:
- Make a cash donation to a relief agency that is active in the
Response. Many volunteer organizations are helping out. CASH IS THE BEST WAY TO HELP. Cash donations allow the relief agencies to purchase what is needed, where and when it is needed. This also helps local businesses, who can supply many items. - Volunteer with a relief organization. Because the Aroostook
County area is remote, there are very few resources for volunteers who arrive on the scene. Being involved with an organization means that support for the volunteers can be planned for, and you have credentials when you arrive on the scene. - DO NOT try to send goods to the scene unless it has been
specifically requested. Coordinate with a relief organization to establish what their needs are, and arrange for transportation and distribution. - DONATIONS OF CLOTHES ARE NOT NEEDED. Please give your outgrown but usable clothing to a local agency that accepts these donations. Your donated clothing may end up at a disaster scene, or may help a local needy family.
Visit VolunteerMaine at www.volunteermaine.org for the latest information on requests for volunteers.
If anything in this document is incorrect, or you have additions, please dial 2-1-1.
Updated May 28, 2008 9:10AM
In addition, occasionally, individuals reach the national 2-1-1 information website by mistake (www.211.org) and cannot find appropriate service data. Please remember the 2-1-1 Maine website address is www.211maine.org.
2-1-1 Maine, Inc. is a nonprofit organization formed in partnership with United Ways of Maine and Ingraham to develop a health and human services information and referral service system to serve the entire State of Maine, every day and in times of crisis.
| 2-1-1 Maine, Inc. • 400 Congress Street • P.O. Box 15200, Portland, Maine 04112-5200 | ||
| Telephone: 2-1-1 • E-mail: info@211maine.org | ||
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TTY: 2-1-1 | |
