BIDDEFORD — Despite its considerable distance from the tropics and the direct path of devastating hurricanes and tropical storms, Maine residents are reminded to remain vigilant and prepared in the event one of these powerful forces of nature makes its way up the coast to the Pine Tree State.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast calls for 10 to 16 named storms this year, with five to nine becoming hurricanes. Its 2018 prediction is that one to four hurricanes could become major rising to Category 3 or higher with sustained winds in excess of 110 mph and this follow’s 2017 unusually active season resulting in more than $200 billion in property losses across America.

Maine has plans in place in the event that a hurricane were to slam into the state unleashing its fury here.

According to Susan Faloon, Special Projects coordinator/Public Information oficer for the Maine Emergency Management Agency, the agency’s annual budget for the past fiscal year was $9,751,808 and is used to lessen the effects of disaster on the lives and property of the people of the state through leadership, coordination and support in the four phases of emergency management including mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

Faloon says some of that funding is dispersed to 16 county emergency management agencies to lead local disaster responses, but the Maine Emergency Operations Center in Augusta is staffed year-round weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m and a duty officer is on call 24-7 for emergency situations and situational awareness.

MEMA also works with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help them prepare for and manage disasters.

“During major storm events, such as the October Wind Storm when the decision is made to activate, we are staffed in the State Emergency Operations Center 24-7.  The number of staff generally depends on the situation and if it is a full or partial activation,” Faloon said. “We fully activated in October 2017, we partially activated in January for a severe storm. Sometimes, if the event is local or regional, we would not activate, but instead support the local or county emergency management agency.”

She said that when the EOC is activated, it includes members of the state’s Emergency Response Team as well.

“The State Emergency Response Team is made up of representatives from state agencies and the American Red Cross,” Faloon said. “ERT members relay information to their personnel in the field, receive information from field units, and can commit their agencies’ resources to respond to a county request. Agency representatives are also asked to participate in training and exercises, and assist with state emergency operations planning.”

The ERT was created by Executive Order and 16 agencies are named in the order, including  Maine Emergency Management Agency (chair); Department of Administrative and Financial Services; Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management; Department of Education; Department of Environmental Protection; Department of Health and Human Services; Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; Department of Labor; Department of Marine Resources; Department of Public Safety; Department of Transportation; Maine Turnpike Authority; Public Utilities Commission; American Red Cross; and the Governor’s Office.

Significant damage from hurricanes

A number of hurricanes have hit the state through the years, leaving widespread damage.

“Hurricane Edna in 1954 did approximately $7 million in damage. Hurricane Carol, that same year, did roughly $5 million and Hurricane Bob in 1991 did over $5.5 million,” Faloon said. “In 1954, Carol and Edna occurred within a two-week period, a highly unusual pairing that caused deaths and extensive damage. Hurricane Donna in 1960 also caused damage in Maine. The experiences of Hurricane Gloria in September 1985 and Hurricane Bob in August 1991 raised awareness of the state’s vulnerability; but event memories and lessons learned often fade within a period of only two or three years.”

She said that since those hurricanes, coastal populations have significantly increased and valuations of many coastal communities have increased more than a hundred fold.

“Consequentially, it is expected that damage today from the likes of an Edna would be many times greater. Awareness did become heightened in September 2011, as Hurricane Irene tracked into New England resulting in record breaking damages and multi-state declarations,” Faloon said. “When it reached Maine as a tropical storm, Irene still resulted in declaration DR-4032 because of the extensive flooding to roads from the heavy rains and the debris cleanup and power outages from the high winds.  The four counties of Franklin, Lincoln, Oxford, and York were part of the declaration. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated much of the Northeast coast but spared Maine. Had Irene or Sandy affected more of the coastal counties, fishing, commercial and pleasure boating losses would have been significant if boats, gear, piers, and wharfs had been severely damaged.”

Irene’s damage created more than $2 million in damage in Maine, but that record amount was exceeded by last October’s destructive windstorm, although that wasn’t a hurricane.

Coastal areas tend to be the hardest hit by hurricanes in Maine, but no one is immune, Faloon said.

“No one is completely risk free in Maine. It really depends on the track of the storm as well,” she said.  “Storms may kill on the coast, but inland flooding and debris are killers inland. You may recall back-to-back storms in March that hit York County, which had already been compromised from storms in Ocober and January. These March storms resulted in a Federal Disaster declaration for York County alone. The state threshold for a declaration is $1.9 M.  York County alone exceeded that threshold.”

Faloon recommends that Maine residents can visit Maine.gov/MEMA for up-to-date preparedness information.

“We have information on preparedness, weather and emergency information when an event is taking place. We also have shelter information there,” she said. “Facebook and Twitter are good places during an event, as we post as things unfold. Mainers can also sign up for statewide alerts at Maine.gov and choose the agencies they wish to receive alerts from, including MEMA. FEMA has a free app that people can download on their smart phone and subscribe to alerts and warnings for up to five locations (counties, other states, etc.)  This is great for storm warnings, flood warnings and (knock on wood) something like a nuclear missile attack.”

To that end, Faloon says that there will be a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System on Sept. 20 for only the fourth-time ever and it will include the first-ever test of the new Wireless Emergency Alert System.

“This means that everyone with a cell phone will get the alert,” Faloon said.  “We don’t want people to be alarmed, but we need to test the system. No action needs to be taken on this alert. It will take place at 2:18 p.m. Sept. 20.”

Preparation a key to survival 

In the event a hurricane does threaten Maine, the American Red Cross is prepared to help and suggests that state residents can take steps now to be ready.

“This is the time of year when hurricanes, floods, wildfires and other large disasters can happen,” said Patricia Murtagh, CEO of the Maine Region of the American Red Cross. “And disasters like home fires can strike at any time of the year. You should take steps now to be ready if an emergency occurs. It’s critical that all members of your household know what to do for emergencies both large and small.”

The Red Cross has developed 10 steps that residents can take now to be prepared if the emergency makes it unsafe to remain in their home:

• Follow the instructions of officials and evacuate if told to do so.

• Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.

• Remember you may have to get out on foot depending on the type of disaster. If you don’t have a car, or can’t use your vehicle, plan on how you will leave the area.

• If you have a car, keep the gas tank full if an evacuation order is possible. Don’t let the tank go below half full in case gas stations are unable to pump gas.

• Decide where you would go and what route you would take to get there. This could be a motel, the home of a friend or relative a safe distance away, or an evacuation shelter. Download the free Red Cross Emergency App to find shelter information and weather and emergency alerts for more than 35 different situations.

• If you have time, let someone out of the region know you are evacuating and where you are going. Leave a note saying when you left and where you plan to go.

• Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that provides some protection.

• Be alert for road hazards such as downed trees, flooding, etc. Do not drive onto a flooded road.

• Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Grab your emergency kit and drive your planned evacuation route. Include an alternate route in a different direction in case one is impassible. Make sure you have locations and maps saved on devices such as cell phones and GPS units and on paper.

• Don’t forget your pets. If it’s not safe for you to stay home, it’s not safe for them either. Prepare a phone list of pet-friendly motels and animal shelters located along your evacuation route. Keep in mind only service animals are usually allowed in shelters.

The Red Cross also advises getting a kit to pack a gallon of water per person per day; non-perishable food; flashlight and hand-crank or battery-powered radio; extra batteries; sanitation and personal hygiene items; copies of important papers; extra cash and any medical or baby supplies family members may need. Have all members of your household help devise an emergency plan. And consider what emergencies could happen where you live; what to do if you are separated from those you live with and how will you let loved ones know you are safe. It also helps to have at least one household member trained in first aid and CPR in case help is delayed during a disaster.

Home and property inspections encouraged

To limit damage to property, experts say homeowners should inspect their properties now.

“Before the next storm strikes, you should take a walk around your property,” said Roy Wright, CEO and president of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. “You should look for and arrange repairs to loose shingles, siding or fencing. Trim trees away from your home or business facility and clear gutters and drains of debris so rain water can move away. These and other simple steps will help prepare your home or business and will save you time, energy, aggravation and money after the storm passes.”

Wright said preparedness is crucial to reducing risk and damage inflicted by hurricanes.

“You can protect your property through maintenance and monitoring, and with flood insurance if you live in an area prone to flooding. If you live or own property along any waterway, flood insurance is something you should strongly consider,” he said

Wright also emphasized there is a 30-day waiting period for new flood insurance policies, underwritten by the National Flood Insurance Program, to become effective for homeowners and business owners after they are bound by your insurance agent or carrier and waiting until the storm is on its way is too late to obtain flood coverage.

Storm season brings a humbling reminder that, despite the significant technological gains made since the end of World War II, most of nature and especially hurricanes remain unpredictable.

To be considered as a hurricane, storm winds must exceed 74 mph. Heavy rain accompanies hurricanes and tropical storms and cause flooding in very short periods of time. For coastal areas, the storm surge is the most destructive force of a hurricane and is responsible for 90 percent of all flooding deaths in a hurricane. Farther inland, hurricanes often produce tornadoes.

The NOAA has determined that the destructive power of a hurricane in one day is equivalent to the detonation of more than 800 atomic bombs. It says the power produced by a hurricane in one day could supply the entire United States with electrical power for six months.

— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com