York Town News
FEMA declaration paves the way for York's flood recovery efforts
By Jennifer L. Saunders and Virginia L. Woodwell
York Police Sgt. Martin Doherty and Reserve Officer Nikolaos Piskopanis placed "No Trespassing" signs around the perimeter of the Passaconaway Bridge in Cape Neddick on Saturday afternoon, May 27. Since this photograph was taken, demolition of the Passaconaway Bridge has begun. The bridge sustained severe damage in the recent flood and was a total loss. Police warn that crossing the barricade line will result in a summons.
Photo by Juanita Reed
The Maine Department of Transportation commenced demolition work on the Passaconaway Bridge over the Cape Neddick River on Tuesday, May 30. The bridge, which collapsed in the midst of the Mother's Day weekend storm that flooded many roads, homes and businesses across town, must be completely removed. A temporary bridge will be put in place, and is expected to be in place before the July 4 holiday weekend. Officials estimate the new Passaconaway Bridge itself will not be completed before next summer.
Photo by Juanita Reed
Town Manager Rob Yandow announced the formal declaration had been received on Thursday, May 25.
"The President has signed the disaster declaration for both the public damage and the private damage," Yandow said Thursday. "Now we are eligible for FEMA assistance as are the individual property owners and business owners."
The declaration makes residents of York County eligible for temporary disaster housing assistance, U.S. Small Business Administration low interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, grants for serious disaster-related needs, expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs and disaster unemployment assistance.
Unofficial estimates of the costs to public and private roads and buildings have been in excess of $10 million.
Yandow said the next step would be a more formal evaluation of individual repairs from FEMA.
Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cathy Goodwin said that is just the announcement York's business community has been waiting to hear.
"It's great news. Now the assistance programs can kick in, and that's what everyone's been waiting for," Goodwin said Friday. "That's what's going to make the difference for everyone."
York Public Works Director Bill Bray, meanwhile, said the work continues to get the local roads back into shape as the town awaits FEMA assistance.
"We're making incredible progress. We have a lot of stuff already partially or fully put back," he said. "… We've had an incredible week of productivity. We're making positive progress."
Goodwin echoed a sentiment expressed by residents, business owners, town staff and emergency personnel alike: one of appreciation for the way the community came together around the emergency situation.
"It's important to thank Chief Doug Bracy, Rob Yandow and Bill Bray who have been working this 24-7," she said, adding the chamber also appreciates the efforts of Bob Bohlmann and the York County Emergency Management Agency. "It's just been constant," she said of their efforts.
On the eve of the official start to the summer tourism season, Goodwin said hopes are high among the chamber members that York has risen above the floodwaters.
"The gathering of the volunteers turned the whole thing from 'We're never going to get over this' to 'We can do this.' Our motto at the chamber has been 'Get it done. Whatever it takes.' That is the attitude," Goodwin said.
She especially praised the attitudes of the business owners who were hit by the severe flooding in York Beach.
"It's a real can-do spirit that has buoyed everyone and made everyone pitch in a little harder and help folks," she said. "People have been gracious about accepting help and gracious about giving help."
Upon receiving word about the disaster declaration, Baldacci said, "I am pleased that this request is going forward and the people of York County will get the help they need to get back on their feet."
Then, on Monday, he made good on a promise made at York Beach on May 15, at the height of the massive flooding, by returning at 7 a.m. on Memorial Day to be the first person to have breakfast that day at the Purple Palace and to bear witness to the York Beach business community's remarkable recovery.
Where, two weeks earlier, kayakers had been paddling in the streets and business owners had found themselves battling mounds of hopelessly waterlogged merchandise with capital investments like chairs and even freezers floating away before their eyes, almost no sign of the flooding remained.
"I'm impressed," Baldacci said repeatedly to media representatives crowding around him on Monday. "I'm impressed with the spirit and determination to get these businesses open again."
That effort, he added, reflected well on Maine, and illustrated its resilience and character.
Particularly impressive, he said, was "the way the community responded, too, and the number of volunteers who helped out for nothing. The people in this community should be proud. It's a wonderful Maine story, it really is."
Serving as a driver and escort for him on the trip that day was Maine State Trooper Kevin Rooney, known to many locally as a former York police officer.
At the Purple Palace, the governor enjoyed a breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon and chatted with mother-and-daughter owners Sandra and Deborah Wilson before moving on to stop in at several other shops.
"Young lady," he said to Sandra Wilson, "you did a wonderful job. You told me you were going to be open on Memorial Day and you are."
While not all the businesses in the beach are back on their feet, most were open for the holiday weekend.
"You wouldn't even know there'd been a flood in there," Peggy Fennelly said as she led the governor into her Sweet Josie's Candy Shoppe.
Fennelly recounted the gargantuan effort that had been expended to completely restore it, from the floors right up the walls - and at all the nameless help she'd received in the process.
"You guys have really shown how to get things done here," Baldacci said to her. "We can take inspiration from this York story."
Baldacci remained at York Beach for about an hour before heading north to participate in Bangor's Memorial Day services, which has been his tradition since 1982.
If you are in need of assistance following the May 13 weekend floods, call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA. Have such current information as phone number, pertinent addresses, social security number, a list of damages and losses, insurance information, general financial information and bank account codes for direct deposit ready when you call.
Associate Editor Jennifer L. Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@yorkindependent.net.
