Bipartisan storm preparedness bill heading to Maine legislature

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) - A bipartisan storm preparedness bill is heading to the Maine legislature in the coming weeks.

Maine’s Housing and Economic Development Committee gave unanimous support to LD 1 on Tuesday.

The bill comes partly in response to devastating storms that wreaked havoc across the state, most heavily on coastal communities, just over a year ago.

Legislative leaders say it will invest in Maine homes to make them more resilient against future storms.

$15 million in grant funding will be available to homeowners for interventions such as measures to reduce basement flooding.

It will also enhance response and recovery capabilities statewide by investing in hazard mitigation resources and emergency communication systems.

The bill would also create a new State Resilience Office that would support planning efforts to reduce flood and storm damage.