This page contains resources for consumers looking to protect their property and from severe weather hazards and natural disasters. The resources below include information about home weatherization, flood insurance, and safety precautions.
Before the Storm: Protecting Your Property
Safeguarding against storms, flooding, and cold temperatures is the best way to reduce the likelihood of costly property damage. Here are links with information for protecting your property against natural disasters, home improvement (weatherization), and insuring your property.
Efficiency Maine offers rebates and tax credits for Maine homeowners interested in weatherizing their homes. The organization also maintains list of qualified energy efficiency vendors in Maine that you may hire to work on your home.
Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) provides an interactive tool that recommends weatherization and safety measures based on your address. FLASH also provides a do-it-yourself property assessment and planner to help you prepare for inland flooding.
To learn more about protecting your property from common (and costly) perils of winter weather, please review Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)'s guidance on preventing or thawing frozen water pipes as well as a general overview of home protection and winter weather from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Tips from Superintendent Carey: How Mainers Can Best Protect Against Storm Damage, Flooding
During the Storm: Protecting Yourself and Loved Ones
Here are resources and information on actions you can take to reduce the risk of harm during an emergency situation.
Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) offers guidance on emergency supplies to put in a "grab & go bags" for both your home and your car. MEMA also has a guide to sheltering in place in addition to a compilation of emergency preparedness tools.
The American Red Cross provides printable contact cards for family emergencies as well as an emergency preparation guide.
Consider Flood Insurance
Please consider buying flood insurance. Check to see if your homeowners insurance policy contains a water damage exclusion, as this standard provision exempts the insurer from covering flood-related damage. Please browse the resources below to learn more about flood insurance and to begin looking for premium estimates for your property.
Get A Flood Insurance Quote - FloodSmart | Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
After the Storm: Resources and Tips for the Insurance Claims Process
Have you suffered a loss to your property due to a weather event and do not know how to begin the insurance claims process? The resources below provide helpful information on filing claims.
(Post Disaster) Claims Guide | National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Low Income Assistance Resources
Below are links to programs that expand access to energy efficiency, weatherization, and energy bill assistance to individuals and families who might otherwise struggle to afford these necessary services.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers weatherization assistance for homeowners. The organization's website can tell you which of their offices is closest to you and help you determine the extent to which you qualify for their support.
- Low Income Assistance Program - Reducing Electricity Costs | Maine State Housing Authority
- Low-Income Resources - Efficiency, Utilities | Maine Office of the Public Advocate
Assess Your Property’s Risk: Enter Your Address and Get Feedback on Your Property’s Resiliency Against Severe Weather
The Strong Homes Scale, created by FLASH, helps you gauge your home’s resilience to nature’s extremes. Find out where your home stands—and how to make it stronger. Visit inspecttoprotect.org and enter your home address to get your strength score now.
Contacts
|
Name |
Website |
Email or Contact Form |
Phone Number |
| American Red Cross | https://www.redcross.org/ | https://www.redcross.org/contact-us/general-inquiry.html | 800-733-2767 |
| Efficiency Maine | https://www.efficiencymaine.com/ | info@efficiencymaine.com | 866-376-2463 |
| Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) | https://flash.org/ | info@flash.org | 877-221-SAFE |
| Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) | https://www.fema.gov/ | https://www.fema.gov/about/contact/form | 877-336-2734 |
| Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/ | https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/contact | 866-674-6327 |
| Maine Bureau of Insurance | https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/home | insurance.pfr@maine.gov | 800-300-5000 |
| Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) | https://www.maine.gov/mema/ | https://www.maine.gov/mema/about/contact | 207-624-4400 |
| Maine Office of the Public Advocate | https://www.maine.gov/meopa/ | OPA.Admin@maine.gov | 207-624-3687 |
| Maine State Housing Authority | https://www.mainehousing.org/ | LIHEAP@mainehousing.org | 207-626-4600 |
| National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) | https://content.naic.org/ | help@naic.org | 816-783-8500 |
| National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) | https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/ | ncei.orders@noaa.gov | 828-271-4800 |
Historical Flood Risk
Please select "MAINE" in the interactive graph below to view flood frequency data for Maine. Click on an individual county to reveal historical flood data.