My wife and I are lucky. The January 2024 storms did significant damage to our home in Georgetown, but with timely help from FEMA, flood insurance and a low-interest SBA loan, we were able to recover.

Still, it’s hard to ignore the bigger picture. Storms are getting stronger, and sea levels are rising. Will support from FEMA be there next time? I fear the answer will be no.

The FEMA budget has been cut, and states will have to pick up the tab. Maine, unfortunately, is not ready to replace their staff or funding. This will put the cost of the next storm on homeowners, towns and local taxpayers.

I spent much of my career here in Maine as a small business owner, a corporate planner and as a school superintendent. Planning ahead matters. You don’t wait for a crisis and hope things work out. You try to understand what’s coming and prepare for it. Maine is at that point now.

LD 1870, the climate superfund study before the Legislature, would take a clear look at the cost of climate damage Maine has already experienced over the last 20 years. That’s a basic, necessary step. We need to know what we’re dealing with, and we need to plan accordingly.

I urge lawmakers to fund this study.

Bill Webster
Georgetown