Our state recently experienced flooding and storm damage like we haven’t seen in decades. With more outages reported than the 1998 Ice Storm and flooding worse in some areas than the 1987 spring floods, first responders and line crews have been working around the clock to ensure residents and roads are safe and power comes back as soon as possible.

While we wait for the lights to turn on, there are several resources available. As always, if you need emergency assistance, you should dial 911.

About the author

David LaFountain, a Winslow Democrat, is serving his first term in the Maine Senate.

Gov. Janet Mills declared a State of Civil Emergency last week, directing all state entities and resources to support emergency response and recovery efforts in the following days. The order also sets Maine up to seek federal disaster support in the coming weeks should we need it. I am pleased the Mills administration is using the full power of the executive branch to secure necessary resources and support.

If you are in need of a safe space to warm up and recharge your devices, now or in the future, the Maine Emergency Management Agency has compiled a list of area warming shelters. You can view that list by entering http://tinyurl.com/yjymxrc5 into your web browser. For non-emergency assistance such as how to find a warming center, you are encouraged to call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211.

For those using generators, please remember generator safety when using one near your home or business. Generators should be operated outside at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents. Always remember to point the exhaust away from your home. Generators with small engines are recommended to have the oil changed every 50 hours. If you must keep your generator running when the power goes out for an long time, think about shutting it down for an hour every once in a while, letting it cool down and changing the oil.

If you’re looking for support from a food pantry, the Greater Waterville Area Food Bank is open Monday through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and on Monday evenings from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The Fairfield Interfaith Food Pantry is also open on the first and third Thursday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For those who utilized the Winslow Food Pantry, you can type gsfb.org/food-map/ into your browser to find a food pantry near you. I will continue to post updates about food resources on my Facebook page.

For folks on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits who lost food due to power outages may be eligible for replacement benefits. Nobody should have to go hungry due to uncontrollable storms and power outages. To be deemed eligible, you must be without power for at least eight hours and file your claim with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services within 10 days of having your electricity restored. Maine DHHS will have to verify the power outage and your SNAP household eligibility. If you’re deemed eligible, Maine DHHS will replace up to one month’s worth of SNAP benefits. To file a claim, you may call Maine DHHS at (855) 797-4357 or fill out an online form by entering https://bit.ly/3RMXNZY into your web browser.

If you need assistance connecting with state government services or resources such as SNAP replacement benefits, my office stands ready to help connect constituents with essential support services. You can contact my Senate office at (207) 287-1515 or send me an email at David.LaFountain@legislature.maine.gov. You can find updates and warming shelter information on my Facebook page at facebook.com/SenatorLaFountain. You can also call or text 211 for help connecting with local resources.

Stay safe, everyone.

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