A recent Press Herald article described the decision by a South Portland family (in the wake of January 2024 storms that damaged their home) to elevate the structure 5 feet, resting it on pylons at a cost of $500,000. They have the money, required permits and a contractor specializing in this type of work.

The article pointed out that home elevation projects are increasing in Maine. They go back decades in more populated, storm-prone Atlantic and Gulf Coast states. Dozens of firms are involved. The article noted that the multistate firm engaged by the family in South Portland has completed more than 7,000 such projects.

But global warming, rising sea levels and the growing intensity of storms are real. Storm-related property losses are increasing dramatically — people are dying. Reconfiguring existing structures to elevate them 3, 5 or 10 feet above storm water contour lines should be prohibited. South Portland’s zoning amendment permitting the elevation project is, in my view, an abdication of governmental responsibility.

So too is Maine legislation providing financial assistance to repair waterfront structures damaged in 2024. The legislation pays little attention to whether these structures are in relatively safe or storm-prone areas. It ignores the fact that millions of state and local tax dollars have been spent repeatedly over the last 50 years to help repair Camp Ellis storm damage.

Finally, current TV coverage of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa clearly shows that elevated structures are no match for nature’s fury. We need to wake up.

Orlando Delogu
Portland