National Flood Safety Awareness Week; March 12- 16, 2012
For Immediate Release: March 9, 2012
CONTACT:
Sue Baker
Maine Floodplain Management Program
Maine State Planning Office
38 State House Station
Phone: 207-624-6230 or 1-800-662-4545
sue.baker@maine.gov
AUGUSTA, MAINE – Flooding is a coast-to-coast threat to the United States in all months of the year. But, in Maine, spring rains and thawing are the greatest threat. To increase awareness about the dangers of spring flooding, the Maine Floodplain Management Program promotes National Flood Safety Awareness Week.
National Flood Safety Awareness Week is intended to highlight some of the many ways floods can occur, the hazards associated with floods, and what you can do to save life and property. The key is to be aware and to be prepared.
NOAA’s National Weather Service’s website provides fundamental information such as:
- Flash Flood Safety in a Car
- Ice Jam Information Clearinghouse
- Flood Insurance: Why have? Where can I buy it?
- Red Cross: Preparing for Floods
To learn more about flood safety, please visit http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/.
In addition, Maine’s Emergency Management Agency monitors flooding potential and provides alerts including daily messages during National Flood Safety Awareness Week. For more information, visit www.Maineprepares.com
Flooding is Maine’s most frequent and costly natural disaster. Largely the result of coastal storms, heavy spring rains, runoff, and ice jams, flooding has caused nearly $40 million of flood losses in the state in the last 30 years.
Two major goals of the Maine Floodplain Management Program are to assist communities with joining the National Flood Insurance Program and to increase the number of homeowners that are protected with flood insurance. These steps will better protect Maine citizens during future flooding events. For more information on protecting home and business assets from flooding, visit: http://www.floodsmart.gov.