Over the past couple of years, Maine has become more prone to natural disasters. Since 2006, every county in the state of Maine was hit by at least one federally declared weather-related catastrophe.
These types of emergencies include:
- Record flooding
- Severe storms
- Extreme heat
- Devastating wildfires
Experts believe that natural disasters are going to become significantly more common in the state of Maine in the coming years. If past storms are any indication, these storms could be quite intense and cause significant damage.
One of the biggest threats Maine faces is from flooding. Maine tends to receive heavy snow each winter.
Coastal areas tend to see 50 to 70 inches of snow each winter, while inland regions routinely see as much as 110 inches. Furthermore, a Nor’easter storm could quickly drop ten inches of snow on the state
in less than 24 hours.
Come spring, the snow begins to melt, putting a heavy strain on the state’s drainage systems. Severe flooding often occurs as a result of snow melt. For instance, in 2008, the Saint John River flood brought
significant damage to northern Maine. The Red Cross was forced to evacuate more than 600 home. During the flooding period, flood levels on the river reached nearly 27.5 feet.
Powerful winter storms also pose a threat to Maine residents. For instance, a blizzard came through the state in January 2015. Portland receives more than 19 inches of snow, its fourth-highest snowfall total of all time. The storm also brought ice, cold temperatures, and heavy wind.
A couple of years prior, in October 2011, the state saw a Nor’easter come through earlier than usual. Not only did this storm dump up to 20 inches of snow across the state, but it also brought hurricane-
strength winds. The National Weather Service issued a Hurricane Force Wind Warning for the Gulf of Maine during this storm.
Researchers recorded wind gusts of nearly 80 miles per hour off the coast of Maine during this storm.
All it takes is one natural disaster to change the landscape of the state. A natural disaster could ruin homes and properties, prompting the state’s legislators to look into a FAIR Plan. If this happens, Maine
residents would be wise to first look to the private market for coverage. Just because a home is considered high-risk by insurance agencies does not mean that you should be locked into the high rates of a Maine FAIR Plan.