Maine will be receiving federal disaster funding to help recovery efforts in areas ravaged by flooding this spring. 

Funding will be available to “state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations” for repair or replacement work in Franklin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc, Somerset and Waldo counties, according to a statement from the White House.  

Funding will also be available for hazard mitigation statewide. 

The announcement is related to flooding that occurred between April 30 and May 1.  

A major spring storm brought heavy rains to the state, causing localized flooding to homes and businesses and washed-out roads. 

The storm caused more than $2 million in infrastructure damage, according to a statement in late June by Gov. Janet Mills. 

Mills said insurance would not cover all of the repair costs. 

“Due to the widespread nature and extent of infrastructure damages, State resources are not adequate to meet local recovery needs,” Mills wrote to President Biden. 

Biden's approval of the Major Disaster Declaration unlocks federal assistance through the Public Assistance Program, providing supplemental grants to state, local, and tribal governments so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. The declaration also unlocks federal funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the entire state.

“We are grateful that President Biden has approved Maine’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration,” Mills and Maine’s congressional delegation wrote in a joint statement. “This declaration will make available critical Federal funding that Maine will use to complete costly infrastructure repairs necessary after this spring’s severe storm.”