Governor Baldacci's Letter Requesting Individual Assistance for Penobscot County
May 15, 2008
Dear Mr. Castillo:
Under the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5206 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR § 206.36, I request that Penobscot County in the State of Maine be added to the area covered by disaster designation FEMA-DR-1755-ME for Individual Assistance.
Joint Federal, State, and local Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) of Penobscot County indicate severe impacts to homes and businesses, similar in nature to that incurred in the contiguous County of Aroostook, already designated eligible for Individual Assistance under this disaster.
The weather conditions that resulted in catastrophic flooding in Aroostook County were likewise experienced in Penobscot County. Flood conditions persisted on the Penobscot River until May 2nd and on the Mattawamkeag River until May 6th. The USGS has calculated the flow on the East Branch of the Penobscot River near Grindstone to be a 100 to 500 year event.
The PDA teams visited 10 towns in Penobscot County on May 7 and 13. These limited PDAs found 63 impacted homes. Of these, one was destroyed and 32 sustained major damages. Only a very low percentage (12%) indicated that they were insured for these damages. 13.6% were low income households. These homes had experienced significant water depths, with 2 feet of water or more on the first floor. Most homes had private wells and many were flooded. The state has supplied water test kits to the area, but test results are not yet known.
We have engaged the voluntary agency community in providing short-term assistance to the affected households. However, these agencies report to us that the needs in these areas are beyond their ability to assist. In Maine, although county government exists, counties provide no financial resources to the organized communities within their borders. The State has no available fund to provide disaster assistance to the affected households.
This concentration of damages in these communities is equivalent to that suffered in similar small towns in contiguous Aroostook County during the same weather and flooding event. Therefore we request that Penobscot County similarly be made eligible for Individual Assistance.
In response to the situation, I have taken appropriate action under State law. In anticipation of emergency conditions, I directed the execution of the State Emergency Plan on Monday, April 28, 2008 in accordance with Section 401 of the Stafford Act. I declared a State of Emergency as of 5:00 pm on April 29, 2008. That State of Emergency remains in effect.
I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and the affected local governments and that supplementary Federal assistance is necessary. I am specifically requesting Individual Assistance, including the Individuals and Households Program, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Hazard Mitigation and Small Business Administration disaster loans. I intend to implement the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program statewide. The State has a FEMA-approved Standard State Mitigation Plan in place. The need for Public Assistance in Penobscot County is still being assessed.
I certify that for this major disaster the State and local governments will assume all applicable non-federal share of costs required by the Stafford Act.
I have designated Robert McAleer as the Governor’s Authorized Representative for this request. He will work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in damage assessments and may provide further information or justification on my behalf.
Sincerely,
John Elias Baldacci
Governor
